Kadena Air Base, Japan CNN — The US Navy reconnaissance jet flies at 21,500 feet over the South China Sea, 30 miles from the contested Paracel Islands, a group of about 130 small atolls, the biggest of which are home to Chinese military bases.
A voice, saying it’s coming from a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) airport, crackles over the radio of the US Navy P-8 Poseidon as a CNN crew, given rare access aboard the US flight, listens in.
“American aircraft. Chinese airspace is 12 nautical miles. Not approaching any more or you bear all responsibility,” it says.
In a few minutes, a Chinese fighter jet armed with air-to-air missiles intercepts the US plane, nestling in just 500 feet off its port side.
The Chinese fighter jet was so close, the CNN crew could see the pilots turning their heads to look at them – and could make out the red star on the tail fins and the missiles it was armed with.
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WNU Editor: Apparently this is happening all the time.
Chinese Jet Intercepts US Spy Plane Over South China Sea
Chinese fighter jet flies within 500 feet of U.S. patrol over South China Sea -- NBC
Chinese military orders US plane away from its airspace, flies fighter jet 500 feet from wing -- FOX News
Chinese Jet Intercepts US Spy Plane Over South China Sea -- Zero Hedge
Chinese Fighter Jet Harasses U.S. Navy Plane With CNN Camera Crew Inside -- Daily Wire