New Delhi: A recent encounter between Chinese and American aircraft over the South China Sea has raised alarms. The United States has expressed condemnation for what it called unsafe conduct by a Chinese J-11 fighter jet, which flew perilously close to a US Air Force B-52 bomber while the latter was engaged in routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.A hair-raising encounterThe incident, which took place late Tuesday, saw the Chinese fighter jet approaching within a mere 10 feet of the American B-52 bomber. The use of the term unsafe is significant, as it is typically reserved for the most extreme cases. The US militarys Indo-Pacific Command described the Chinese fighter pilots actions as demonstrating poor airmanship by closing with uncontrolled excessive speed, flying below, in front of, and within 10 feet of the B-52, putting both aircraft in danger of collision.The intercept occurred under challenging conditions: it was nighttime with limited visibility, and the approach deviated from international air safety rules and norms. The Indo-Pacific Command emphasized the importance of professional airmanship and safety awareness, expressing concern that the pilot may have been unaware of the near-collision.A 38-second night-vision video shared by PACOM visually documented the close encounter, showing the J-11 approaching the B-52 with such proximity that the camera captured the nose of the American aircraft.#USINDOPACOM Statement on #PRC Unprofessional Intercept: A Peoples Republic of China J-11 pilot executed an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea...Read more⬇️https://t.co/UnCmnneAr7 pic.twitter.com/6k79Koah3V— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) October 26, 2023An ongoing trend of unprofessional behaviourThis recent near-miss event is part of a broader pattern of unprofessional behaviour exhibited by Chinese pilots since 2021, according to PACOM. These actions have raised concerns about the US militarys ability to safely operate in the region.Last week, the Pentagon released footage of over 180 such intercepts, several of which were described by senior US military officials as risky and aggressive in nature. These intercepts have led to fears of accidental conflict, portraying a larger trend of regional intimidation by China.Tensions mount as China asserts dominanceExperts believe Chinas increasingly assertive behaviour is an attempt to pressure the US military in the region, demonstrating its determination to dominate these vital waters. US media reports have termed the recent actions more concerning, especially given Chinas refusal to engage in military-level discussions on the topic.As tensions between China and the Philippines escalate, sparked by disputes over the South China Sea, the US has voiced its commitment to defending the Philippines in the event of an attack by China. This came in response to recent incidents where Chinese and Filipino ships collided. Chinas foreign ministry has asserted that the US has no right to get involved in the issues between foreign countries.The situation in the South China Sea continues to draw international attention, raising concerns about regional stability and the potential for conflict.
