China on Sunday denied the Pentagon’s charge that an encounter between Chinese fighters and a US surveillance plane over the South China Sea was “unsafe and unprofessional”. Tensions between the two economic superpowers have risen in recent years over the disputed waterway, which China
Beijing (AFP) – China on Sunday denied the Pentagon’s charge that an encounter between Chinese fighters and a US surveillance plane over the South China Sea was “unsafe and unprofessional”.
Tensions between the two economic superpowers have risen in recent years over the disputed waterway, which China claims almost in full despite counter-claims from other Asian nations.
Chinese J-10 warplanes intercepted a US Navy P-3 that was operating in international airspace Wednesday, according to Pentagon spokesman Commander Gary Ross.
The US deemed the move “unsafe and unprofessional” and pledged to convey its concerns to the Chinese government.
But the Chinese defence ministry on Sunday said the Pentagon’s account of the incident “was not in accordance with the facts”.
