According to the US military, a Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of an American B-52 bomber flying over the South China Sea, nearly causing an accident, underscoring the possibility of a mishap as both countries compete for influence in the Region compete
From
DAVID RISING Associated Press
October 27, 2023, 12:26 a.m. ET
• 4 min reading
BANGKOK – A Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of an American B-52 bomber flying over the South China Sea, nearly causing an accident, the U.S. military said, underscoring the possibility of a mishap as both countries vie for influence compete in the region.
During the night intercept, the Shenyang J-11 twin-engine fighter approached the U.S. Air Force aircraft at “uncontrolled excess speed, flying under, in front of, and within 10 feet of the B-52, placing both aircraft at risk of collision,” the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement released late Thursday.
“We are concerned that this pilot did not realize how close he was to a collision,” the military said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry blamed the US and suggested that the American plane flew over the South China Sea as a deliberate provocation.
“The US military aircraft have flown thousands of kilometers to China’s doorstep to flex muscles,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
“This is the source of risks to maritime and air security and is not conducive to peace and stability in the region.”
The U.S. military said in its statement that the plane was “lawfully conducting routine operations” before Tuesday’s interception, but did not immediately respond to questions Friday about what specifically the B-52 was doing over the South China Sea or whether it was with the B-52 in the South China Sea was a group of aircraft.
After a similar incident in May, the Chinese government rejected American complaints and called on Washington to halt such flights over the South China Sea.
China has increasingly asserted its claims to most of the South China Sea as its territorial waters, a position rejected by the United States and other countries that use the ocean’s vast expanse for shipping.
China’s claims have led to long-standing territorial disputes with other countries in the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest trade routes. A Chinese coast guard ship and an escort ship rammed a Philippine coast guard ship and a military-run supply boat off a disputed shoal in the waterway last week.
Following the incident, US President Joe Biden renewed his warning that the US was committed to defending the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if armed attacks were placed on Philippine forces, aircraft or ships. He spoke in a news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House on Wednesday.
China responded by saying the US had no right to interfere in Beijing’s disputes with Manila.
“The U.S. defense engagement with the Philippines should neither undermine China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, nor support the Philippines’ illegal claims,” Mao, the State Department spokeswoman, told reporters in Beijing on Thursday.
The United States and its allies regularly conduct naval exercises in the South China Sea and regularly fly aircraft over the area to emphasize that the waters and airspace are international.
Aerial interceptions are common. According to the US, there have been more than 180 such incidents since fall 2021.
However, they are not often as close as they were on Tuesday, and with tensions between Beijing and Washington already high, a clash might have led to an escalation.
The US military said in its statement that the incident would not change its approach.
“The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international laws permit,” the military said.
Likewise, China showed no signs of backing down.
“China will continue to take decisive measures to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” Mao said.