Tri-Service
Plane Forced To Fly At 200ft To Avoid Chinese Fighter Jets
A US military aircraft has been forced to take evasive action after being intercepted by Chinese fighter jets.
The reconnaissance plane was flying in international airspace on a routine patrol over the South China Sea when the incident occurred.
According to reports the US aircraft's pilot had to drop to just 60 metres (200 feet) above sea level in order to evade the intercepting aircraft's 'unsafe' manoeuvres.
It comes amid heightened tension in the region as China pushes ahead with its controversial island building on disputed reefs.
Last September a U.S. Air Force Rivet Joint reconnaissance jet was intercepted by People's Liberation Army Navy Xian JH-7 fighter-bombers some 80 miles off the Chinese coast.
While in November 2014 a Shenyang J-11B interceptor flew extremely close to a US Navy maritime patrol aircraft.
The Pentagon say the current issue is being dealt with through military and diplomatic channels.
In 2015, the United States and China announced agreements on rules of behavior and the setting up of a military hot-line to govern air-to-air encounters.
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