China accuses the US of falsifying facts following an aircraft clash

A US military plane involved in a clash with Chinese aircraft in disputed southern waters last week violated international law and jeopardised the safety of Chinese pilots, according to a defence ministry spokesman.

The US military said on Thursday that a Chinese Navy J-11 fighter jet came within 10 feet (3 metres) of a US Air Force RC-135 aircraft on December 21, forcing it to perform evasive manoeuvres to avoid a collision.

However, Tian Junli, spokesman for China’s Southern Theatre Command, said in a statement late Saturday that the US had misled the public about the incident near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.

He claimed that the US plane violated international law, ignored repeated warnings from China, and made dangerous approaches that jeopardised the safety of China’s aircraft.

In an effort to mislead a global audience, Tian claimed that the United States “deliberately misleads public opinion.”

We seriously demand that the US side limit the activities of its front-line naval and air forces, rigorously abide by pertinent international rules and agreements, and avoid maritime and aviation mishaps.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei all contend that they have territorial claims to portions of what China claims to be its entire South China Sea.