Chinese, US aircraft 'unsafe encounter' in East Sea

A Chinese military aircraft has had an "unsafe" encounter with a US patrol plane in airspace near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

A US Navy P-3C Orion - Photo: WSJ

According to AFP news agency, the incident was reported by the US Pacific Command on February 10. Accordingly, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said the two planes flew about 300 meters apart near the Scarborough Shoal area.

The encounter took place in the context of increasing tensions between the US and China over recent moves to increase China's military presence and equipment on artificial islands it illegally built in the East Sea.

"On February 8 (local time), an interaction determined by the Pacific Command to be 'unsafe' occurred in international airspace over the South China Sea between a Chinese KJ-200 aircraft and a US Navy P-3C aircraft," said Pacific Command spokesman Rob Shuford.

Mr. Rob Shuford also added that "the US Navy P-3C aircraft was on a routine patrol, in accordance with international law."

The Pentagon spokesman said that the Chinese plane essentially "crossed the nose" of the US plane, forcing it to "immediately change course."

"We have seen no evidence that this was intentional," Mr. Davis said. "We have disagreements with China about the militarization of the South China Sea, but interactions between ships and aircraft have been largely professional and safe. This appears to be an isolated incident."

The Pacific Command said it would address the issue through "appropriate diplomatic and military channels."

The administration of President Donald Trump has so far maintained a tough stance on China's illegal sovereignty claims in the East Sea, affirming that it will continue to protect international interests in this region.

According to tuoitre.vn