- China sent six warnings to a US Navy plane operating in the South China Sea on Friday, ordering the American crew to "leave immediately and keep out."
- The US Navy aircraft stayed the course, insisting that it was within its legal rights.
- The incident followed a report from the Philippine government revealing that China had been sending out threatening radio queries to foreign ships and planes at an increased frequency.
Chinese forces deployed to the hotly contested South China Sea ordered a US Navy reconnaissance aircraft to "leave immediately" six times Friday, but the pilot stayed the course, refusing to back down.
A US Navy P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance plane flew past China's garrisons in the Spratly Islands, giving CNN reporters aboard the aircraft a view of Chinese militarization in the region.
Flying over Chinese strongholds on Mischief Reef, Johnson Reef, Fiery Cross Reef, and Subi Reef, CNN spotted "large radar installations, power plants, and runways sturdy enough to carry large military aircraft." At one outpost, onboard sensors detected 86 vessels, including Chinese Coast Guard ships, which China has been known to use to strong-arm countries with competing claims in the South China Sea.
Lt. Lauren Callen, who led the US Navy crew, said it was "surprising to see airports in the middle of the ocean."
Warning the
aircraft that it was in Chinese territory — an argument an international
arbitration tribunal ruled against two years ago — the Chinese military ordered
the US Navy plane to "leave immediately and keep out to avoid any
misunderstanding."
Six warnings were
issued, according to
CNN, and the US Navy responded the same every time.
"I am a sovereign
immune US naval aircraft conducting lawful military activities beyond the
national airspace of any coastal state," the crew replied, adding, "In
exercising these rights guaranteed by international law, I am operating with due
regard for the rights and duties of all states."
Friday's incident
comes on the heels of a report by the Philippine government revealing that China
has been increasingly threatening foreign ships and planes operating in the
South China Sea.
"Leave
immediately," Chinese forces in the Spratlys warned a
Philippine military aircraft earlier this year, according to the
Associated Press. "I am warning you again, leave immediately or you will pay the
possible consequences," the voice said over the radio.
The US Navy has
noticed an increase in such queries as well.
"Our ships and
aircraft have observed an increase in radio queries that appear to originate
from new land-based facilities in the South China Sea," Cmdr. Clay Doss, a
representative for the US 7th Fleet, told the AP, adding, "These communications
do not affect our operations"
Of greater concern
for the US military are recent Chinese deployments of military equipment and
weapons systems, such as jamming technology, anti-ship cruise missiles, and
surface-to-air missiles. While the US has accused China of "intimidation and
coercion" in the disputed waterway, Beijing argues it is the US, not China, that
is causing trouble in the region.
The Chinese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to comment on Friday's exchange between the
Chinese military and the US Navy.
