The Pentagon released an unclassified video Tuesday of a Chinese J-16 fighter jet performing an "unnecessarily aggressive maneuver" towards a US Air Force RC-135 jet.
According to the US Indo-Pacific Command Public Affairs Office, the J-16 pilot took a sharp turn and "flew directly in front of the nose" of the reconnaissance plane, forcing the pilots to fly through the fighter plane's turbulence.
Pentagon Asserts US Plane Flew on International Waters
China's move occurred while the American plane was conducting "safe and routine operations" in the sky over the South China Sea, which is international airspace. Moreover, the incident happened after a Chinese spy balloon's incursion into US airspace in February.
In a statement, the Indo-Pacific Command said the United States would "continue to fly, sail, and operate" in international waters and airspace.
"We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law," the statement added.
Meanwhile, Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu continues to refuse to talk with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin despite repeated requests by the US in recent months.
Chinese Fighter Pilot Aggression
The incident was not the first time a US military plane was harassed. In December 2022, a Chinese Navy J-11 fighter jet made a similar gesture towards another US plane over the South China Sea. During the interception, the Chinese pilot flew within 20 feet (6.1 meters) of the American plane's nose, forcing it to maneuver to avoid a collision.
In response to the incident, China accused the US of "deliberately [misleading] public opinion." The Chinese government also insisted its pilot gave a warning to the American plane's crew but was disregarded.
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