Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets conducted unsafe maneuvers while intercepting a US surveillance aircraft that was operating in international airspace near the South China Sea, according to the Navy.
Navy Cmdr. Gary Ross confirmed that the Chinese jet’s actions qualified as « unsafe and unprofessional » but noted that the US continues to review the facts of the incident and will convey its concerns through « appropriate channels » with the Chinese government.
« US forces operate in the Asia-Pacific region on a daily basis, including in the South China Sea, » Ross said in a statement. « All operations are conducted in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows. »
China called the US description of the incident « inconsistent with the facts. » The Chinese defense ministry said their aircraft’s operations were « professional and safe » and were in accordance with military law and regulations.
The country’s ministry also urged US officials to « take concrete measures to correct its mistakes » and « avoid similar incidents. »
« Recently, the US military has dispatched multiple ships and aircraft to conduct operations in waters and airspace facing China, infringing upon our sovereignty and endangering the lives of front line personnel from both sides, » the ministry said in a statement.
« The Chinese military will resolutely fulfill its duties to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security, » the ministry said.
Wednesday’s encounter comes on the heels of last week’s incident in which two Chinese Su-30 fighter jets intercepted a US Air Force radiation detection plane over the East China Sea, according to the US Pacific Air Forces.
