US denounces China's ‘aggressive maneuver' over South China Sea
The United States has accused a Chinese fighter jet of performing an 'unnecessarily aggressive maneuver' against one of its aircraft during a flight over the South China Sea, a disputed region of significant strategic importance.
In a written statement on Tuesday, the US Indo-Pacific Command - the armed forces branch overseeing the region - said its aircraft was conducting 'safe and routine operations' in 'international airspace' when it was intercepted by the Chinese J-16 jet.
Its pilot 'flew directly in front of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the US aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence', according to the statement.
'We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law,' the statement added.
A video released with the statement shows the inside of the US Air Force plane's cockpit, as a fighter jet approaches from one side, soaring over the clouds. As it turns and passes in front of the nose of the Air Force plane, the video wobbles from the force of its airflow.
The narrow fly-by and the US's subsequent statement are the latest tit-for-tat over the South China Sea, where China has made broad territorial claims, covering much of the region.
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