The Chinese navy didn’t mince words when a U.S. P8-A Poseidon surveillance aircraft neared construction work in the disputed South China Sea: “You go!”
A CNN crew aboard the aircraft reported Wednesday that eight warnings were issued by the Chinese navy, which also managed to confuse a commercial Delta flight in the area.
“Foreign military aircraft. This is Chinese navy. You are approaching our military alert zone. Leave immediately,” the U.S. pilots were warned, CNN reported.
China has created over 2,000 acres of artificial islands in the contested region within the last two years. Its military has done so in water up to 300 feet deep.
China’s claims to the Spratly Islands and its new “unsinkable aircraft carrier” — its giant artificial land mass — are disputed by the Philippines and other nations. The new islands have early warning radar, an airport tower and a runway long enough to handle any aircraft in the Chinese military, CNN reported.
CNN’s presence aboard the P8-A Poseidon was the first time journalists were allowed on an operational mission aboard the aircraft in the region.
SEE ALSO: China creating ‘great wall of sand’ near disputed islands: U.S. Adm. Harry Harris Jr.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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