Chinese fighter jet intercepted a spy plane of the US over the South China sea
Chinese multi-role fighter-bomber, J-10 (“Jian-10”) 23 Jul caught SIGINT aircraft US Navy Lockheed EP-3 patrolling in international airspace over the South China sea. About it reports Reuters, citing unnamed American officials.
China plane approached the EP-3 at a distance of about 90 metres and forced him to change the direction of flight. Other details not reported.
Earlier, on may 20, 2017 U.S. Department of defense confirmed the “unprofessional and unsafe” rapprochement of the two J-10 of China with an American patrol aircraft P-3 Orion over the South China sea. This is one of the Chinese fighters “flew directly in front of the P-3 Orion”, which alarmed the Americans.
South China sea — a zone of collision of interests of different countries. Islands in its waters — the subject of a territorial dispute between China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam. The most tense situation around the Scarborough reef, also South of the Spratly archipelago, which is believed rich in oil and gas.
12 July 2016 the court of arbitration in the Hague has determined that Beijing has no rights in the disputed territory. In response, the President of China, XI Jinping stated that the Islands in the South China sea since ancient times are an integral territory of China.