Chinese fighter jets have intercepted an American “surveillance” aircraft near Hong Kong, US officials say, days after a US navy warship challenged China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, when two Chinese jets flew within 200 yards of a US P-3 Orion plane that was flying 150 miles southeast of Hong Kong.
American military officials said one of the jets moved to the front of the spy plane in an “unsafe and unprofessional” manner, restricting its ability to maneuver.
According to ABC News, the US was going to raise the issue with China through diplomatic channels.
The development was announced only a day after a US Navy warship sailed close to a disputed South China Sea island controlled by Beijing, the first such operation under new US President Donald Trump.
The last mission was carried out in October, after being authorized by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama.
