Current:Home > StocksUS military says Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of B-52 bomber over South China Sea-LoTradeCoin
US military says Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of B-52 bomber over South China Sea
View Date:2024-12-24 08:04:39
BANGKOK (AP) — 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 potential for a mishap as both countries vie for influence in the region.
In the night intercept, the Shenyang J-11 twin-engine fighter closed on the U.S. Air Force plane at an “uncontrolled excessive speed, flying below, in front of, and within 10 feet of the B-52, putting both aircraft in danger of a collision,” the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement released late Thursday.
“We are concerned this pilot was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision,” the military said.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but in a similar incident in May, the Chinese government dismissed American complaints and demanded that Washington end such flights over the South China Sea.
China has been increasingly assertive in advancing its claims on most of the South China Sea as its territorial waters, a position rejected by the U.S. and other countries that use the vast expanse of ocean for shipping.
China’s claims have led to longstanding 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 accompanying vessel last week rammed a Philippine coast guard ship and a military-run supply boat off a contested shoal in the waterway.
The U.S. and its allies regularly conduct maritime maneuvers in the South China Sea, and also regularly fly aircraft over the area to emphasize that the waters and airspace are international.
The B-52 was “lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace” when it was intercepted by the J-11 on Tuesday, the U.S. military said.
Intercepts are common, with the U.S. saying that there have been more than 180 such incidents since the fall of 2021.
They are not often as close as Tuesday’s incident, however, and with tensions already high between Beijing and Washington, a collision would have had the potential to lead to an escalation.
The U.S. military said in its statement that the incident will not change its approach.
“The U.S. will continue to fly, sail and operate — safely and responsibly — wherever international laws allow,” the military said.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Love Actually Secrets That Will Be Perfect to You
- When is the debt ceiling deadline? What happens when the US reaches the limit
- What benefits can help improve employee retention? Ask HR
- Maren Morris came out as bisexual. Here's the truth about coming out.
- Watch out, Temu: Amazon Haul, Amazon's new discount store, is coming for the holidays
- Banana company to pay millions over human rights abuses
- Who is Tony Evans? Pastor who stepped down from church over ‘sin’ committed years ago
- FBI quarterly report shows 15% drop in violent crime compared to last year
- Who will be in the top 12? Our College Football Playoff ranking projection
- Arkansas governor calls for special session on tax cuts and funds for hunting and fishing agency
Ranking
- Florida State can't afford to fire Mike Norvell -- and can't afford to keep him
- Bravo's Tabatha Coffey Reveals Her Partner of 25 Years Died After Heartbreaking Health Struggles
- Man charged after firing gun at birthday party, shooting at sheriff's helicopter, prosecutors say
- Is honeydew good for you? A nutrition breakdown
- Pistons' Ausar Thompson cleared to play after missing 8 months with blood clot
- Nicki Minaj Shares Teary Video About Beautiful Baby Boy That Sparks Concern From Fans
- Travis Kelce Adorably Shakes Off Taylor Swift Question About Personal Date Night Activity
- Loungefly's Sitewide Sale Includes Up to 75% Off on New Releases & Fan Favorites: Disney, Pixar & More
Recommendation
-
Artem Chigvintsev Returns to Dancing With the Stars Ballroom Amid Nikki Garcia Divorce
-
Kristin Cavallari says she was 'skin and bones' during 'unhappy' marriage to Jay Cutler
-
3 people injured in shooting at Atlanta food court; suspect shot by off-duty officer
-
The Federal Reserve is about to make another interest rate decision. What are the odds of a cut?
-
Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
-
Congress sought Osprey crash and safety documents from the Pentagon last year. It’s still waiting
-
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis has 'rare' left leg injury, questionable for NBA Finals Game 3
-
Supreme Court has a lot of work to do and little time to do it with a sizeable case backlog