Chinese fighter aggressively maneuvered to intercept U.S. aircraft, Pentagon says

The Pentagon denounced on Tuesday that. a Chinese fighter carried out “unnecessary” and “aggressive” maneuvers. To intercept a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft in the South China Sea.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (Usindopacom) has issued a statement and. a video of that moment on its social networks, in which the Chinese aircraft, a J-16, is seen flying in the vicinity of the U.S. aircraft, an RC-135, which is usually used for electronic surveillance work, to intercept it “in a non-professional manner”.

The event occurred last May 26, when. the Chinese pilot positioned himself right in front of the nose of the U.S. RC-135.which was forced to fly through “the turbulent wake” left by the Chinese fighter.

According to the U.S., its aircraft “was conducting safe and routine operations in international airspace over the South China Sea.in accordance with international law.

In the note, the Usindopacom has assured that. “The U.S. will continue to fly, to sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international regulation permits” and that this will continue to be the case for the U.S. Joint Force in the Indo-Pacific.

“We expect that all countries in the Indo-Pacific to use international airspace safely and securely. and in accordance with international law,” the U.S. military command said.

The tension between the U.S. and China escalated after the U.S. country detected an alleged Chinese “spy” balloon which flew over its territory at the end of January and came down over Atlantic waters on February 4.

Last Friday’s event comes after the Pentagon reported in a statement on Monday that. China has rejected the U.S. proposal to hold a face-to-face meeting this week between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu at the Shangri-La security dialogue forum in Singapore.