Chinese aircrafts perilously intercept United States spy plane

Beijing: Two Chinese tactical aircrafts carried out an ‘unsafe’ intercept of a United States (US) military aircraft on May 17. The incident took place in international airspace as the US maritime patrol reconnaissance aircraft took out a routine patrol in the South China Sea.

Washington has accused Beijing of militarising the South China Sea after creating artificial islands whereas Beijing, in turn, has criticised increased US exercises and naval patrols in Asia.

Highlights:

• Several nations claim territory in the resource-rich South China Sea.
• “The US pilot was forced to descend about 200ft to avoid a collision”, said a China military official.
• The defence department said it was addressing the issue through military and diplomatic channels.