WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a US surveillance plane in the East China Sea, nearly colliding with it, according to reports.
The Chinese fighter jets forced the US pilot to take evasive action to avoid a collision on Sunday, NBC Nightly News reported, citing US officials.
The US plane was conducting routine operations in international waters near Qingdao, the outlet added.
China disputes Japan’s sovereignty over the uninhabited Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Tokyo placing the Senkakus under state control in 2012 has led to diplomatic issues. Japan paid the family who previously owned the islets 2.05 billion yen.
