American plane could have collided with Chinese intercept plane in South China Sea
The US military says a Chinese Navy intercept aircraft flew dangerously over the South China Sea earlier this month. The pilot of the American aircraft was forced to maneuver rapidly to avoid collision with the Chinese aircraft. The US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement on Thursday that the incident took place on 21 December. The Chinese aircraft flew in front of and less than 6 meters (20 ft) away from the larger US Air Force RC-135. “The US aircraft was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace,” the statement said. The pilot was forced to maneuver to avoid a collision.
Flight will continue
The statement also said that the US Indo Pacific Joint Force is dedicated to a free and open Indo Pacific region. All ships and aircraft flying and sailing in the sea and international airspace will continue to be protected under international law. We hope that all countries in the Indo-Pacific region will use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law.
No response from China
China has been expressing deep displeasure over the US military presence in the South China Sea. China has regularly demanded US ships and aircraft to leave the area. America says that it has every right to operate in and over the South China Sea. There has been no response from China on this American complaint.
Has already collided
China has often challenged military aircraft of the US and its allies in the South China Sea. Especially on the South China Sea, such activities of China are more. China claims the South China Sea completely as its own. In 2001, a similar air collision took place in which the Chinese aircraft was destroyed and the pilot died.
