Washington said Saturday it routinely conducts training missions in the region, including the South China Sea, adding that it was investigating the reports of the bomber near the Spratly chain.
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A statement from the Chinese Defence Ministry said personnel on an island in the region went on high alert during the flights on 10 December, and that they issued warnings demanding the aircraft leave the area.
Nevertheless, Pentagon spokesman Cmdr Bill Urban said the B52 overflight had not been part of the policy, which analysts say might propose a navigation mistake.
The US insists that it takes no official stance on sovereignty claims in South China Sea. China said the US action is leading to “militarizing conditions” between the two nations.
China on Saturday accused the U.S. of indulging in “serious military provocation” by flying two B-52 bombers in the airspace over islands in the South China Sea claimed by it as tensions between the two countries over the disputed territory came to the fore.
It must be stressed that China has always respected and safeguarded every country’s flight and navigation freedom around the world in line with global laws, Hong said. The U.S. then sent a B-52 bomber through the zone without contacting China.In Aug. 2014, a U.S. P-8 Poseidon Surveillance Plane was intercepted by Chinese fighters over the South China Sea.
China has also been upset with what it sees as provocative USA actions in the South China Sea, including the patrols. “The situation in the South China Sea is essentially stable overall”, he said.
The US has previously argued for its right to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and is critical of China building artificial islands there. Earlier, Mr. Le pointed out in his speech delivered at the event that the maritime boundary of China in the South China Sea was legitimate and flexing military muscles by other countries was not going to help maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The Chinese army will take all necessary measures to defend the sovereignty and the security of the country”.
China’s latest protest comes amid a simmering dispute over Washington’s approval this past week of the first arms package in four years offered to Taiwan, Beijing’s self-governing rival.
In October, Washington infuriated Beijing when the USS Lassen guided missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of at least one land formation claimed by China in the disputed Spratlys.
On Wednesday, Beijing filed a formal diplomatic complaint and its Foreign Ministry said it would take “necessary measures, including the imposition of sanctions against companies participating in the arms sale to Taiwan”.
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United States defence firms are forbidden to sell arms to China.
