US Spy Plane Seen in Chinese Airspace Amid Tensions Between Washington and Beijing

Relations between the two countries have fallen to their lowest point since Donald Trump came to power. The two sides disagree over a number of issues ranging from trade and security to the coronavirus pandemic and Hong Kong. Last month, two US heavy bombers were spotted over the South China Sea.

A US reconnaissance plane flew in Chinese airspace, the South China Sea Probing Initiative reported. According to the flight data revealed by the think tank, the Lockheed U-2A reconnaissance aircraft dubbed "Dragon Lady” took off in South Korea, flew over the Taiwan Strait, and passed through China’s air defence identification zone.

USAF U-2A (#AE0961) is operating over the #EastChinaSea, Dec 10.

Earlier in August, a U-2 once flew into a previously declared no-fly zone, where PLA was conducting live-fire military exercise. pic.twitter.com/QgmkAM1cAv

— SCS Probing Initiative (@SCS_PI) December 10, 2020

​The South China Sea Probing Initiative said this was the closest reconnaissance flight in the Taiwan Strait by a US plane. Last month the think tank revealed that the United States has nearly doubled the number of reconnaissance flights near China since 2009. According to its data, the US Air Force flies 1,500 missions a year over the South China Sea. The think tank also said Washington disguises its spy planes by flying civilian planes.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Beijing and the United States. Both countries are engaged in a trade dispute. The Trump administration also launched a pressure campaign against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and the Chinese-owned application TikTok. Both sides also disagree on a number of issues ranging from territorial disputes and security to the coronavirus pandemic.