Chinese fighter jet buzzes US B-52 over South China Sea
October 27, 2023
The US military has complained that a Chinese pilot flew dangerously close to a bomber on a routine flight in international airspace. Beijing said the US flexing muscle at China's doorstep was the root of the problem.
The US said the Chinese pilot 'demonstrated poor airmanship' by violating international air safety rulesImage: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command via AP/picture alliance
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A Chinese fighter jet intercepted a US B-52 bomber in a nighttime maneuver over the South China Sea Friday, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command.
A video released by the command shows a Shenyang J-11 coming within 3 meters (10 feet) of the bomber at what the US said was, "uncontrolled excessive speed" and "in an unsafe and unprofessional manner."
The US said it was, "concerned that this pilot was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision."
The pilot was said to have flown below and in front of the US aircraft, which was, "lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace."
The US command vowed that its approach to monitoring the area would not change despite Beijing's ire at the presence of its troops.
"The US will continue to fly, sail and operate — safely and responsibly — wherever international laws allow," it said after the incident.
China's Foreign Ministry pushed back, saying: "The US military planes traveled thousands of miles to China's doorstep to flex muscle. That is the source of maritime and air security risks."
Beijing's island-building in the South China Sea
Satellite images show the extent and speed of China's land reclamation activities in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The new land masses are believed to be primarily military installations.
Image: CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe
Runway
China is expanding the construction of its facilities on Fiery Cross Reef. Provided by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), this June 28, 2015 photo reveals Beijing has nearly completed a 3,000 meter (9,800-foot) airstrip, long enough to accommodate most Chinese military aircraft. Two helipads, up to 10 satellite communications antennas, and one possible radar tower are also visible.
Image: CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe
Expansion
Reclamation on Fiery Cross Reef, which lies on the west side of the Spratly Islands, began in August of 2014 and its principal landmass was finished by November. Dredgers have created a land mass that spans the entire existing reef and is approximately 3,000 meters long and 200-300 meters wide.
Image: Reuters//U.S. Navy
Facilities
This picture taken last November shows construction work being carried out on Fiery Cross Reef. The reef reportedly already houses a helicopter landing pad, a 300-meter-long wharf, a harbor large enough to dock military tankers, barracks and artillery emplacements.
Image: CSIS, IHS Jane's
South Johnson Reef
This reef was one of the first facilities to finish principal land reclamation. This recent picture shows that a radar tower is nearing completion at the north end of the land mass. According to AMTI, a new large multi-level military facility has been built in the center of the island. Up to six surveillance towers are being constructed alongside four possible weapons towers.
Image: Asia Maritime Transparency Iniative
A naval base?
Beginning in early 2015, Mischief Reef - also located in the Spratlys - has undergone extensive reclamation activity. Experts say that the recent widening of the southern entrance to the reef, coupled with sightings of Chinese navy vessels, may suggest a future role for the reclaimed reef as a naval base. Taken on March 17, this image shows a chain of small land formations at the reef.
Image: CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe
From reef to island
Significant construction on Gaven Reef began in 2014, with a total of 114,000 square meters of land already created. Satellite pictures show just how fast construction has progressed on the reef. A new artificial island was created between March (left) and August (right) 2014.
According to AMTI, China has had a troop garrison on Gaven Reef since 2003, which has included a large supply platform where ships can dock. Experts say a new main square building in the reef appears to be an anti-aircraft tower.
Image: AMTI
A standardized process
As seen in this image, the basic process of expanding these features involves dredging sand from the seafloor and dumping it onto the reefs. The structure is raised above the high water line, hiding the status of the bank or reef beneath. The sand is then smoothed out and workers surround the island with a concrete barrier to protect against erosion and storm surge, and begin construction.
Image: CSIS
'Historic rights'
China claims most of the potentially energy-rich waterway, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The US Pacific Fleet commander recently said China was "creating a great wall of sand" in the South China Sea, causing serious concerns about its territorial intentions. Beijing argues it is asserting its so-called "historic rights" to maritime resources in the area.
Image: DW
Territorial disputes
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims, which have led to territorial disputes in the area. Last summer, China's deployment of a massive oil rig in waters also claimed by Hanoi escalated tensions in the region, sparking a standoff at sea and violent anti-Chinese demonstrations in Vietnam.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo
US concerns
Washington is concerned China's efforts carry a military dimension that could undermine the US' naval and economic power in the Pacific, and has weighed sending warships and surveillance aircraft within 12 nautical miles of the new artificial islands. Washington has repeatedly called on Beijing and others to end reclamation projects in the disputed waters, but Beijing rejects those demands.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Abbugao
Ecological impact
The Philippines filed a formal plea at the UN last year, challenging Beijing's territorial claims. Manila said China's reclamation activities are causing "irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the South China Sea." It also claimed that the destruction of coral reef systems is estimated to cause economic losses valued at $100 million annually.
Image: CC2.0/TheAnimalDay
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South China Sea a hot spot as Beijing seeks to exert primacy
The region has become a hot spot for tensions as China seeks to exert ever more military control over it.
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Beijing has accused the US of staging provocations in the northern part of the sea — specifically in the straits between mainland China and Taiwan — which the US supports, and China sees as its own.
Last week, the Chinese coast guard rammed a Philippines coast guard ship as well as a supply ship in an incident that prompted US President Joe Biden to comment that the US would be obliged to come to the aid of the Philippines should any of its vessels come under armed attack.
"The US defense commitment to the Philippines should not undermine China's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, nor should it support the illegal claims of the Philippines," retorted a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
The US claims it has logged some 180 such incidents in the region since late 2021.
China, too, has complained. On Thursday, Beijing released a video purporting to show a US navy destroyer cutting off a Chinese destroyer in the area.
Also on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking before a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Beijing would like to, "reduce misunderstanding and misjudgment" with Washington.
