China navy warns U.S. spy plane in disputed South China Sea: report

The Chinese navy warned a U.S. surveillance plane flying over artificial islands that Beijing is creating in the disputed South China Sea to leave the area eight times, according to CNN, which was on board the flight on Wednesday. The P8-A Poseidon, the U.S. military’s most advanced surveillance aircraft, flew at 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) at its lowest point, CNN said. The incident, along with recent Chinese warnings to Philippine military aircraft to leave areas around the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, suggests Beijing is trying to enforce a military exclusion zone above its new islands.

China has the right to engage in monitoring in the relevant airspace and waters to protect the country’s sovereignty and prevent accidents at sea.

ministry spokesman Hong Lei

Some security experts worry about the risk of confrontation, especially after a U.S. official said last week that the Pentagon was considering sending military aircraft and ships to assert freedom of navigation around the Chinese-made islands. Marie Harf, spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said U.S. planes operated “in accordance with international law in disputed areas of the South China Sea” and would continue to do so “consistent with the rights freedoms and lawful uses of the sea.” Harf said verbal warnings had been issued by the Chinese but added that she would not describe the incident as a “confrontation.”

Politics south china sea