China said on Friday it was “strongly dissatisfied” after a US military plane flew over part of the South China Sea near where it is building artificial islands, and called on the US to stop such action or risk causing an accident.
“Such action is likely to cause an accident, it is very irresponsible and dangerous and detrimental to regional peace and stability. We express our strong dissatisfaction, we urge the US to strictly abide by international law and international rules and refrain from taking any risky and provocative actions,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a news conference.
“China will continue to closely monitor the relevant area and take the necessary and appropriate measures to prevent harm to the safety of China’s islands and reefs as well as any sea and air accidents.”
The Chinese navy issued eight warnings to the US P8-A Poseidon, the US military’s most advanced surveillance aircraft, when it conducted the overflights on Wednesday.
Hong said the Chinese military drove away the US aircraft, in accordance with relevant regulations, labeling the US action a security threat to China’s islands and reefs.
China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas, its claims overlapping with those of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
Recent satellite images suggest China has made rapid progress in filling in land in contested territory in the Spratly islands and in building an airstrip suitable for military use.
