A Chinese fighter jet and a warship equipped with offensive payload intercepted an American military aircraft over the South China Sea, which is witnessing a power struggle between Beijing and Washington. According to reports published by CNN, the encounter occurred on Friday, above the South China Sea, approximately 30 miles from the disputed Paracel Islands that host military bases. During this encounter, a tense dialogue took place between the crews of these military assets. Journalists from the network, who were aboard the American reconnaissance aircraft, reported that Chinese pilots communicated with the American aircraft's commander, saying, "Do not come any closer, or you will bear full responsibility."
The Chinese aircraft was armed with "air-to-air" missiles and appeared to have approached closely enough to engage easily. It accompanied the American aircraft for a full 15 minutes before withdrawing from the area, as observed by the journalists. After the aircraft's departure, its crew was surprised to see a Chinese guided missile destroyer following them. The aircraft's commander, First Lieutenant Slotter, stated that the warship was armed with dozens of surface-to-air missiles and communicated, saying: "You are approaching me at a low altitude, disclose your intentions, you are endangering my safety." Slotter responded to the ship, saying, "The American aircraft will maintain a safe distance."
For years, the South China Sea has emerged as a potential flashpoint in the Asia-Pacific region, between China on one side, and the United States and its allies in the region on the other, for various intertwined reasons. The Paracel Islands, near which the American aircraft was intercepted, are subject to territorial claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. This area contains a strategic waterway rich in vast resources of fish, oil, and gas, with about one-third of global shipping valued at $3.4 trillion passing through it. China claims historical sovereignty over nearly the entire vast sea, and since 2014 it has established small reefs and heavily fortified artificial islands equipped with missiles, runways, and weapon systems, which has angered other claimants. In recent months, the South China Sea has witnessed maneuvers and counter-maneuvers conducted by China, as well as the United States and its allies, to assert presence and influence.
