China threatens American bomber flying off the coast of South Korea claiming it violated the country’s ‘defence zone’
US bomber was in the hotly contested Chinese Air Defence Identification Zone
CHINESE military chiefs are accusing US bombers of entering its airspace and too near their country during a mission off South Korea.
US Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber pilots were forced to respond to Chinese air traffic controllers during a flight about 70 miles southwest of South Korea's Jeju Island.
American officials told the B-1Bs replied to the Chinese controllers that they were on “routine operations in international airspace and did not deviate from their flight path”.
The face-off is said to have come about after the bombers entered the Chinese Air Defence Identification Zone.
But the area of sky over the East China Sea is controversial because it also covers islands claimed by Japan - and it is not formally recognised by the US.
US Pacific Air Forces spokesman Major Phil Ventura told CNN: “Pacific Air Forces ... did not recognise the Chinese Air Defence Identification Zone when it was announced in November of 2013 and does not recognise it today.
“The ADIZ has not changed our operations.”
MOST READ NEWS
But the Chinese demand planes flying over or through the airspace must first get permission.
US Air Force sources said B-1 bomber crews were training with Japanese and South Korean counterparts jets in recent days.
The American bomber was seen flying on Tuesday in formation with Japan Air Self Defence Force F-15s.
The incident comes after a senior defence expert warned that China was stealing the oil and gas rich South China Sea and it’s “too late” for US President Donald Trump to stop them.
Former head of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Sir Angus Houston said China’s controversial ramp-up of its military presence is almost complete on artificial islands it has created.
It is feared war between nuclear armed China and US would spell doom for the world even if conventional weapons were exclusively used.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368