Two military aircraft from China and the U.S.
had an “unsafe” encounter over a disputed part of the South China Sea, the U.S.
Pacific Fleet said on Friday, the first publicly confirmed incident since May
last year.
A People’s Liberation Army Air Force KJ-200
surveillance plane had “an interaction characterized by U.S. Pacific Command as
‘unsafe’” with a Navy P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft, Pacific Command
spokesman Major Robert Shuford said in an e-mail. CNN earlier reported the
planes flew within 1,000 feet of each other in the general vicinity of the
Scarborough Shoal.
“We will address the issue in appropriate
diplomatic and military channels,” Shuford said. “The U.S. Navy P-3C was on a
routine mission operating in accordance with international law.”
An unidentified defense ministry official
told the state-run Global Times the Chinese pilots took legitimate and
professional measures to deal with the encounter. The official added the U.S.
should seek to minimize air or sea incidents with China, according to the
report.
Tensions between the U.S. and China are
elevated as President Donald Trump threatens higher tariffs on Chinese products
and questions the U.S. approach to Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its
territory. In his confirmation hearings, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said
the U.S. should deny China access to artificial reefs it built in the South
China Sea.
***Drone
Seizure***
Two Chinese fighters intercepted a
surveillance plane last May over international waters in the northern part of the
South China Sea, coming within 50 feet and forcing the U.S. pilot to descend,
according to the Pentagon. China said its aircraft were flying near Hainan, its
island gateway to the South China Sea, at a safe distance from the
reconnaissance plane.
The area around the Scarborough Shoal is
particularly sensitive because China seized the reef from the Philippines in
2012. China claims about 80 percent of the South China Sea. In December, a
Chinese navy ship grabbed a U.S. Navy underwater drone operating in the
vicinity. It was eventually returned.
An international tribunal last year ruled
China’s claims have no legal standing. China says the tribunal has no
jurisdiction.
Since that ruling there has been speculation
China could seek to build on the Scarborough Shoal and extend its land
reclamation to the north of the Spratlys, where it has constructed features on
seven rocks and reefs and built three airstrips capable of handing military
aircraft. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis last week said diplomatic efforts
should be exhausted to resolve disputes over the South China Sea.
The Philippines and Vietnam are among other
claimants. Mattis also accused China of "shredding the trust" of its
neighbors."Our military stance should be one that reinforces our
diplomats," he said, adding "at this time we do not see any need for
dramatic military moves at all."
0 Comments