According to a statement released by the US military on Tuesday, a Chinese fighter jet engaged in an "unnecessarily aggressive maneuver" while intercepting a US spy plane in international airspace over the South China Sea last week.

On May 26, a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft performed a dangerous maneuver by cutting directly in front of the US RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance plane. This action compelled the US aircraft to navigate through the turbulence caused by the intercepting fighter. The US military has released video footage of the incident, clearly showing the disruptive effects of the turbulence on the trajectory of the US aircraft.

As per an official statement of the US Indo-Pacific Command, the RC-135 aircraft was engaged in "safe and routine operations" within international airspace.

“The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate – safely and responsibly – wherever international law allows, and the US Indo-Pacific Joint Force will continue to fly in international airspace with due regard for the safety of all vessels and aircraft under international law,” INDOPACOM stated.

In response to the US accusation of aggressive behavior, China's military stated on Wednesday that a US spy plane had "deliberately intruded" into China's training area. China's foreign ministry rejected the US assertion and accused them of posing a "serious danger" by frequently deploying aircraft and vessels for reconnaissance on China.

During a regular briefing in Beijing, spokesperson Mao Ning stated, "The US's provocative and dangerous moves are the root cause of maritime security issues. China urges the US to stop such dangerous provocations."

She also added “China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely defend its sovereignty and security.”

According to a report by CNN, the United States is seeking to arrange significant visits to China by senior officials in order to resume substantial discussions with Beijing. However, the Pentagon announced on Monday that China had declined a proposal for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to meet with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu at the Shangri-La Dialogue Security Forum in Singapore this week.

A defense official informed CNN that China's rejection of the US' offer to meet is not a new occurrence, stating, "it is far from the first time that the People's Republic of China has declined invitations to engage in communication with Defense Department officials."

The official also added, “Frankly, it’s just the latest in a litany of excuses. Since 2021, the PRC has declined or failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defense for key leader engagements, multiple requests for standing dialogues, and nearly ten working-level engagements,”

According to a spokesperson from the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), there has been a concerning rise in the frequency of high-risk aerial intercepts by Chinese aircraft. These encounters have witnessed increased aggression from Chinese aircraft, as they deliberately approach closer to US and allied aircraft. Such behavior has raised apprehensions regarding the possibility of an unsafe incident or a miscalculation.

Image source: SCMP