A Chinese military aircraft had an "unsafe" encounter with a US Navy surveillance aircraft near a contested reef in the South China Sea, the US Pacific Command said Friday. The two planes came within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of each other during Wednesday's incident near the Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by both the Philippines and China, a US defense official said.
The close encounter comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and China over Beijing's moves to establish a presence in disputed areas of the South China Sea by building out reefs and atolls into artificial islands.
"On February 8 (local), an interaction characterised by US Pacific Command as 'unsafe' occurred in international airspace above the South China Sea between a Chinese KJ-200 aircraft and a US Navy P-3C aircraft," said Marine Major Rob Shuford.
"The US Navy P-3C was on a routine mission operating in accordance with international law.
The KJ-200 is an airborne early warning and command plane while the P-3 is a maritime surveillance aircraft. The Pacific Command said it would address the issue "in appropriate diplomatic and military channels."
US President Donald Trump's administration has taken a tough stance on China's claims in the South China Sea, insisting it will defend international interests there.
During his confirmation hearings, new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson raised the threat of blocking China's access to the contested islands.
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