The US says the Chinese fighter jet came dangerously close to the US plane

The US military said on Thursday that a Chinese fighter jet flew dangerously close to a US Air Force plane conducting routine operations over the South China Sea on Dec. 21, nearly causing the planes collide.

The Chinese pilot of a J-11 jet “performed a dangerous maneuver”, flying ahead and less than 6 meters from the nose of a US Air Force RC-135 aircraft, the US military said in a statement, adding that the US pilot was forced to take “evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision”.

The US Indo-Pacific Command, which is part of the US military, said in a statement Thursday that it expects all states in the region “to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law.”

A spokesman for the command, referring to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army by its initials, also said in an email:

“We have observed an alarming increase in the number of interceptions unsafe antenna and sea engagements of PLA aircraft and ships.

“So this latest incident reflects a worrying trend of unsafe and dangerous interception practices by the PLA that is of grave concern to the United States.”

As for why the US military waited eight days to make the meeting public, another spokesman wrote:

“Disclosures like this take time to verify details, obtain and declassify images, and send appropriate notifications to other government agencies.”

The day after the meeting, the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that it was “closely monitoring” Chinese military activities in the South China Sea, Philippine Sea and East China Sea.

And he underlined that he continued “to oppose any military pressure or coercion against our allies and partners in the region”.

China takes a long time reclaim the islands of the disputed South China Sea.

In a 2015 speech in Singapore, China’s top leader, Xi JinpingHe said the islands have been under Chinese control “since ancient times” and that China “must take responsibility for safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and legitimate maritime interests.”

Beijing has become more assertive in recent years, building military infrastructure at sea and sending ships and aircraft near islands claimed by both Japan and China.

Earlier this year, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken He called China the greatest challenger to the international order and said the United States would work with its allies to stop its aggressive actions.

Australia and Canada, both allies of the United States, recently accused the Chinese military of conducting dangerous interceptions over Pacific waters.

In June, Chinese planes repeatedly flew over a Canadian plane guarding North Korea, sometimes getting so close that the pilots could see each other.

In May the government Australian he claimed a Chinese aircraft had fired flares, clipped in front of an Australian aircraft and ejected chaffwhich contains metal used to launch missiles.

In response, Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesman for China’s defense ministry, said in a statement that Australia had “seriously threatened China’s sovereignty and security”.

“It is the Australian side that confuses black and white, repeatedly spreads false information and instigates hostility and confrontation,” Kefei added.

TaiwanThe autonomous island long claimed by Beijing also said China sent an unprecedented number of military aircraft – at least 71 fighters, maritime patrol aircraft and drones – near its territory this month, just days after President Joe Biden has extended his support to Taiwan.

These episodes have led to fatal collisions.

In 2001, a Chinese fighter jet collided with a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea, killing the Chinese pilot and forcing the US aircraft to conduct a crash. emergency landing on Hainan Island.

The Chinese government detained the 24 American crew members for more than a week, releasing them only after a letter of apology was sent by the American ambassador to China.

c.2022 The New York Times Society