China’s fighter jet challenges an American Navy plane
CNN has reported a serious incident from the South China Sea, where a Chinese fighter jet engaged a US Navy plane carrying journalists, amid escalating tensions between China and the US.
According to the report, a Chinese fighter jet carrying an air-to-air missile intercepted a US Navy jet that was flying 21,500 feet over the South China Sea 30 miles off the Paracel Island with Chinese military sites.
The CNN crew reportedly could see the Chinese jet’s pilots “watching at them and could make out the red star on the tail fins and the missiles it was loaded with” because it was so close, according to the story.
Over the radio of the US Navy P-8 Poseidon, the crew even overheard a voice remark, “It’s coming from People’s Liberation Army (PLA) airport,” followed by, “American aircraft.” China has a 12 nautical mile airspace. Stop approaching or you’re responsible for everything.
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The two pilots’ chat was reported by the publication’s team since they had access to the plane’s radio voice from the back.
The US plane’s pilot, Lt. Nikki Slaughter, salutes the twin-seat, twin-engine PLA aircraft.
“This is a P-8A fighter aircraft from the US Navy,” I’ve got you under my left wing, and I’m heading west. The US plane’s pilot, Lt. Nikki Slaughter, reportedly said, “I ask that you do the same, over.
The Chinese fighter plane turned away after 15 minutes of stillness.
Navy Capt. Marc Hines was interviewed by CNN and stated, “It’s another Friday afternoon in the South China Sea.”
The two nations have recently seen other confrontations as well. With the region offering critical waterways to huge resources and global shipping lanes worth $3.4 trillion, the South China Sea has emerged as a significant potential flashpoint in the Asia-Pacific region.
