China protests US spy flights
CHINA: China has called on the United States to stop flying
its spy planes near the Chinese coast, saying the move has severely
damaged the trust between Beijing and Washington. “We demand that the US
respect China’s sovereignty and security interests and take concrete
measures to boost a healthy and stable development of military
relations,” the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said in a
statement, AFP reported. The comments came after reports said two
Chinese fighter jets attempted to scare off an American spy plane over
the Taiwan Strait in late June.
The report said the American plane was collecting intelligence on
China.
Relations between China and the US have become strained over a number
of issues.
China has already reduced its military cooperation with the Pentagon
over the USD 6.4-billion US arms sales to Taiwan, which China considers
as part of its territory.
Beijing has in response imposed unspecified sanctions on US firms
selling weapons to Taiwan.
Meanwhile, China is reportedly developing game-changing stealth
aircrafts and advanced naval missiles that can pave the way for ending
the US dominance at sea.
A powerful military could also revolutionize China’s role in the
Pacific balance of power and would make it risky for the US to intervene
in any potential dispute over Taiwan or North Korea.
Press TV
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