The US flight crew reminded the Chinese to comply with aviation safety regulations, he said.Īs the P-8A Poseidon flew near the Chinese-occupied reefs, some appeared to house multi-story buildings, warehouses, hangars, seaports, runways and radars. Navy commanding officer Joel Martinez, who led the P-8A Poseidon’s crew, said there had been an incident in which a Chinese jet flew close to a US aircraft in a dangerous manoeuvre in the disputed region. “Exercising these rights is guaranteed by international law and I am operating with due regard to the rights and duties of all states,” he said.

“I am a sovereign immune United States naval aircraft conducting lawful military activities beyond the national airspace of any coastal state,” a US pilot radioed back to the Chinese. Stay away immediately to avoid misjudgment,” one of the stern radio messages said in a veiled threat.īut the US navy plane dismissed the multiple warnings and pressed on defiantly with its reconnaissance in brief but tense moments witnessed by two AP journalists invited onboard. “China has sovereignty over the Spratly islands, as well as surrounding maritime areas.

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