A war-like situation is prevailing in the South China Sea as the United States of America's Navy planes were intercepted by Chinese jets near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. As per CNN, the US Navy reconnaissance jet flies at 21,500 feet over the South China Sea, 30 miles from the contested Paracel Islands, a group of about 130 small atolls, the biggest of which are home to Chinese military bases. While it was flying, a voice, saying it’s coming from a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) airport, crackles over the radio of the US Navy P-8 Poseidon. "American aircraft. Chinese airspace is 12 nautical miles. Not approaching anymore or you bear all responsibility,” said the Chinese aircraft.
However, the matter escalated when in a few minutes, a Chinese fighter jet armed with air-to-air missiles intercepted the US plane, nestling in just 500 feet off its port side. The Chinese fighter jet was so close, that a journalist on board could see the pilots turning their heads to look at them – and could make out the red star on the tail fins and the missiles it was armed with. The US Navy plane also gave it back to the Chinese jet with Lt. Nikki Slaughter, the pilot of the American plane waring, "PLA fighter aircraft, this is US Navy P-8A … I have you off my left wing and I intend to proceed to the west. I request that you do the same, over." Interestingly, the Chinese jet which was warning the United States when into total mum and there was no reply from the Chinese fighter jet, which escorted the US plane for 15 minutes before turning away.
Now, for those who are wondering why the two power engaged in the almost war-like situations? The answer is China's expansionist police in the South China Sea. China, which has the world’s largest navy, claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea despite a landmark 2016 ruling by an international tribunal that its claims have no legal basis. Its stance has antagonized a number of countries in the region with which it has territorial disputes.
The U.S. and many of China’s neighbors accuse Beijing of using “gray zone” tactics that are not legally acts of war to intimidate other countries and assert greater control over the area. In response, the U.S. regularly conducts “freedom of navigation” and other operations in international waters and airspace.
Netizens go berserk on social media
A user wrote, "The US Navy reconnaissance jet flies at 21,500 feet over the South China Sea, 30 miles from the contested Paracel Islands, a group of about 130 small atolls, the biggest of which are home to Chinese military bases."
The US Navy reconnaissance jet flies at 21,500 feet over the South China Sea, 30 miles from the contested Paracel Islands, a group of about 130 small atolls, the biggest of which are home to Chinese military bases.
— Christian Martin 🇺🇸🎹 (@ChristianM_28) February 24, 2023
Another user wrote, "The encounter between the P-8 and the Chinese jet fighter occurred a few dozen miles north of the Paracel Islands, claimed by both China and Vietnam. China has built military facilities on some of the islands."
"China invaded Vietnam twice around 1980, saying it would punish it, and in 1974 China occupied the entire Paracel Islands by military force. Chinese maritime police and naval vessels frequently invade Japanese territorial waters year-round." added another user.
ハッチさあん、笑。China invaded Vietnam twice around 1980, saying it would punish it, and in 1974 China occupied the entire Paracel Islands by military force. Chinese maritime police and naval vessels frequently invade Japanese territorial waters year-round.
— 野口和彦（Kazuhiko Noguchi） (@kazzubc) February 25, 2023
Food Crisis Looms in UK as Morrisons and Asda Limit Sales of Fresh Produce