Washington, 25 February 2023 (GNP): The United States Department of State has issued a statement expressing concern over a recent incident involving a Chinese fighter jet that confronted a US Navy plane with a CNN crew on board over the South China Sea on February 28th, 2023.
According to sources, the US Navy plane was flying over international waters when it was intercepted by the Chinese fighter jet. The Chinese jet reportedly flew within 100 feet of the US plane, causing it to manoeuver erratically to avoid a collision. The CNN crew captured the incident on video, which has since been released to the public.
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Due to overlapping territorial claims, the South China Sea has been a source of tension between China and its neighboring countries. The area is also rich in resources, including fish, oil, and gas, and is a major shipping route for international trade.
The US State Department’s statement emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and called on China to abide by international norms and avoid actions that could escalate regional tensions.
This latest incident is part of a series of confrontations between the US and Chinese military in the South China Sea, highlighting the complex and sensitive nature of the relationship between the two countries.
As tensions continue to simmer, the international community will closely monitor how both sides respond to this latest incident and any potential escalation in the region.