Fighters buzz US aircraft

– Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a US Navy surveillance plane over the South China Sea on Wednesday, with one coming within 180 metres of the aircraft, US officials told Reuters.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial reports showed the P-3 Orion surveillance plane was 240km southeast of Hong Kong in international airspace when the Chinese aircraft carried out the unsafe intercept. One fighter flew in front of the American plane, restricting its ability to manoeuvre.

The Pentagon confirmed that two Chinese jets had carried out the intercept, saying it was “unsafe and unprofessional”.

“We continue to review the facts of this incident and will convey our concerns through appropriate channels with the Chinese government,” Pentagon spokesperson Navy Commander Gary Ross said in a statement.

China’s defence ministry reiterated that the US military should take steps to avoid similar risky activities and that China’s military was resolved to protect China’s sovereignty and security.

A US Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built up by China in the South China Sea, US officials said on Wednesday, the first such challenge to Beijing in the strategic waterway since President Donald Trump took office. –