Monitoring Desk
SHANGHAI: China’s Defence Ministry spokesman said on Sunday that the United States (US) military aircraft involved in a confrontation with a Chinese jet had violated international law in disputed southern waters last week and endangered the safety of Chinese pilots.
On Thursday, the United States military said that a Chinese Navy J-11 fighter aircraft had come within 3 metres (10 feet) of a US air force RC-135 aircraft on December 21, forcing it to take an evasive move to avoid a collision.
However, Tian Junli, spokesman for China’s Southern Theatre Command, said in a statement that the US had misled the public regarding the incident near the South China Sea’s disputed Paracel Islands.
United States, China accusations
The spokesman said the US plane violated international law, ignored repeated warnings by China, and made wild approaches that threatened the Chinese aircraft’s safety.
“The US deliberately misleads public opinion… in a bid to confuse the international audience,” the spokesman said.
“We solemnly request the US side to restrain the actions of frontline air forces and naval, strictly abide by related agreements and international laws, and prevent accidents in the air and sea.”
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea as its independent territory; however, parts of it are contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
