China fighter jet flew within six metres of US surveillance plane
Washington [USA]: The United States said a Chinese J-11 fighter jet flew dangerously close to a US Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, forcing the US aircraft to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a mid-air collision.
“On December 21 (China Standard Time), a People’s Liberation Army-Navy J-11 fighter pilot conducted a dangerous maneuver while intercepting a US Air Force RC-135 aircraft that was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace,” the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) said in a statement.
“The PLAN pilot performed an unsafe maneuver while flying in front of and within 20 feet of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the RC-135 to perform evasive maneuvers to avoid the collision,” the statement added.
The US military said 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 security of all vessels and aircraft under international law.
“We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law,” the statement added.
China frequently attacks military aircraft from the US and its allies, particularly over the South China Sea, which China claims as its own, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.
According to ABC News, China deeply resents the presence of US military assets in the South China Sea and regularly demands that its ships and aircraft leave the area.
On the other hand, the US states that it is fully authorized to operate in and over the South China Sea.
