Monitoring Desk
TOKYO: The US Navy reconnaissance plane flies at 21,500 feet over the disputed South China Sea, 30 miles from the Paracel Islands, a group of around 130 small atolls, the biggest of which are home to Chinese military bases.
A voice, saying it is coming from a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) airport, crackles on the radio of the US Navy jet as a CNN crew, given rare access aboard the flight, listens in.
“American aircraft. Chinese airspace is just 12 nautical miles. Not approaching any more or you bear responsibility,” it says.
In just a few minutes, a Chinese fighter jet armed with missiles intercepts the US plane, nestling only 500 feet off its port side.
US, China tensions over South China Sea
Lieutenant Nikki Slaughter, the pilot of the US plane, hails the twin-engine, twin-seat PLA aircraft.
“PLA fighter jet, this is US Navy P-8A … I have you off my left wing, and I want to proceed to the west. I request that you do the same, over.”
There is no reply from the Chinese fighter aircraft, which escorted the US plane for 15 minutes before turning away.
To CNN crew members aboard the US jet, it is stark evidence of the tensions brewing in the South China Sea and between China and the US.
The commander of this US Navy mission has a different take.
“I would say its another Friday afternoon in the South China Sea,” Navy Commander Marc Hines said.
