Chinese intercept U.S. military plane over South China Sea

A pair of Chinese fighter jets buzzed a U.S. military reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea Tuesday, military officials said.

The two jets came flew within 50 feet of the U.S. plane, a Navy E-P3, in the latest tense encounter between the U.S. and China in the highly contested region.

The U.S. maritime patrol reconnaissance aircraft was on a "routine patrol" in international airspace on May 17 when "two tactical aircraft from the People's Republic of China" intercepted the U.S. plane, said Defense Department spokesperson Lt. Col. Michelle Baldanza.

"Initial reports characterized the incident as unsafe," Baldanza said in a statement. "Over the past year, DoD has seen improvements in PRC actions, flying in a safe and professional manner."

The incident is being investigated by U.S. Pacific Command...
 [upi.com]
19/5/16
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