On Wednesday, May 31, the Chinese government accused the United States of "provocation" after an incident between a Chinese fighter jet and an American reconnaissance aircraft flying over the South China Sea.

It is reported by News.ro.

"A U.S. RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft deliberately entered our training area to conduct reconnaissance operations," Chinese spokesman Zhang Nandong said.

He says China has sent its planes to track and monitor U.S. aircraft "in accordance with laws and regulations."

"These provocative and dangerous maneuvers are a source of maritime security concerns," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, adding that "the United States must immediately cease these dangerous provocations."

"The frequent dispatch by the United States of ships and aircraft over long periods of time to closely monitor China seriously undermines China's sovereignty and national security," Mao Ning said Wednesday. "China will continue to take the necessary measures to firmly defend its sovereignty and security," she said.

The day before, the US Armed Forces said that a Chinese fighter pilot carried out an "unjustified aggressive maneuver" near a US military reconnaissance aircraft operating over the South China Sea.

According to the U.S. military's Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), last Friday a Chinese plane flew "just in front of and 120 meters from the nose of an RC-135 aircraft, causing the American plane to fly due to turbulence behind it."

The Indo-Pacific command of the US armed forces reported an incident with a Chinese fighter jet / Photo: social networks

"The RC-135 performed normal operations under safe conditions over the South China Sea and in international airspace in accordance with international law," according to INDOPACOM.

The published images show a fighter jet flying past an American plane shaking due to turbulence caused by another plane's flight.

The incident comes amid high tensions between Beijing and Washington over issues such as Taiwan and a Chinese balloon flight over U.S. territory earlier this year.

Recall that the United States of America will provide military assistance to Taiwan in case China launches an invasion of the island.

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