washington [US]Dec 30 (ANI): A Chinese J-11 fighter jet came dangerously close to a US Air Force surveillance plane over the South China Sea, forcing the US plane to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a mid-air crash, the US said. collision.
“On Dec. 21, China Standard Time, a PLA-Navy J-11 fighter pilot performed an unsafe maneuver while intercepting a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft that was conducting routine operations legally in international airspace in the South China Sea,” U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) said in a statement.
“The Chinese navy pilot, flying within 20 feet of the RC-135’s nose, performed an unsafe maneuver, forcing the RC-135 to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision,” the statement added.
The U.S. military says it is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and will continue to fly, sail and operate at sea and in international airspace, with due regard for the safety of all ships and aircraft in accordance with international law.
“We want all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to have safe use of international airspace in accordance with international law,” the statement added.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), China regularly challenges the military aircraft of the United States and its allies, especially in the South China Sea, which China claims as its sovereignty.
According to ABC News, China is deeply unhappy with the presence of U.S. military assets in the South China Sea and has routinely asked its ships and aircraft to leave the region.
On the other hand, the United States has stated that it has every right to operate in and over the South China Sea. (Arnie)
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)