The U.S. calls the military exercise “unnecessarily aggressive.”
Last week, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet intercepted a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft as it flew over the South China Sea. China claims all of the South China Sea as its own, which is inconsistent with international law.
The U.S. said that the Chinese jet performed an “unnecessarily aggressive maneuver” while intercepting, flying directly in front of the RC-135’s nose during the encounter. “The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law,” the U.S. stated.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the United States made “false accusations,” and called on the U.S. to “prevent accidents at sea and in the air.” The China defense ministry also said the U.S. should end “dangerous acts of provocation” that she said are causing maritime security issues.
Over the weekend, a Chinese warship came dangerously close to a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Taiwan Strait. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command stated the Chinese ship was operating in an “unsafe manner… not in accordance with international law.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Lloyd Austin to seek God’s guidance as he heads the U.S. Defense Department.
- For Admiral John Aquilino as he commands the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
- For the president and his military advisors as they consider appropriate responses to China’s increasing aggression.
Sources: Air and Space Forces, The Hill
