The chinese government sent six warnings to a u.s naval plane and commanded
it to leave immediately after it flew over a contested part of the south
china sea. A group of american journalists were aboard the P-8A Poseidon
reconnaissance plane when multiple tense warnings were issued by the chinese
military telling them they were in their airspace.
Leave immediately and keep out to avoid any misunderstanding, a voice said.
But the u.s plane refused.
According to cnn who had reporters on the plane. Crew responded with, "i am
a sovereign immune united states naval aircraft conducting lawful military
activities beyond the national airspace of any coastal state. In exercising
these rights guaranteed by international law, I am operating with due regard
for the rights and duties of all states."
Reporters were on the plane to get a view of the increasing militarization
of the South China Sea.
According to CNN journalists they got a view of a
series of islands that have been built up with military five-story
buildings, radar installations, power plants and runways for fighter
aircraft.
China maintains they need to keep growing a military presence in the area in
order to protect its sovereignty. They were flying over four artificial
islands called the spratly chain, which historically has been fought over by
Vietnam, China, Taiwan and the Philippines.
According to the plane's passengers, these islands are now heavily built up
with some of them hosting coast guard ships and aircraft hangars.
The
chinese military ordered a u.s navy plane flying over a highly disputed
island in the South China Sea on friday to leave immediately and keep out to
avoid any misunderstanding, according to CNN.
A reporter for the network was given a rare look at the chinese government's
militarization of the sea, where it built garrisons with five-story
buildings, radar facilities, power plants and even runways.
The P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance jets crew received six warnings that it was
inside chinese territory as it flew 16.500 feet above the installation. The
aircraft flew past four artificial islands where china has built up
fortifications, Subi Reef, Fiery Cross Reef, Johnson Reef and Mischief Reef,
according to CNN.
On Subi Reef the plane's sensors picked up 86 vessels including chinese
coast guard ships while on fiery cross reef, rows of hangars stood alongside
a long runway. it was surprising to see airports in the middle of the ocean,
said lieutenant lauren callan aboard the navy flight.
Each time the Poseidon was challenged by the chinese, the US Navy crew
issued the same response. "I am a sovereign immune united states naval
aircraft conducting lawful military activities beyond the national airspace
of any coastal state," the response said.
"In exercising these rights guaranteed by international law, iIam operating
with due regard for the rights and duties of all states."
China insists that large swaths of the south china sea, which is believed to
contain rich oil and natural gas reserves have been part of the country's
territory since ancient times.
Beijing's nine dash line extends more than 620 miles from its southernmost
province, taking in more or less the entirety of the waters through which
the u.n estimates one-third of global shipping passes.
Nevertheless china's island building in the contested waters has continued
at a rapid pace.
Cmdr Chris Purcell who leads the squadron that carried out friday's mission
said the u.s has been conducting flights for five decades and they show
washington's commitment to maintaining free passage in international waters.
The reason we're here hasn't changed, Purcell said the reason the chinese
are here has changed.
