US to continue spy flights after jets 'pursued' by China over Taiwan

[Vassnti]

Ghost of Black Cats?

They were always ghosts so that would make it the ghost of a ghost

 

[Akasa]

If the F-22s decides to buzz the Chinese fighters, there is nothing the Chinese can do. They cannot see them. The American reconnaissance aircraft is in international airspace, whatever China do in international airspace will have consequences. If the recon aircraft was being escorted, the Chinese fighters could be shot down without them knowing about it.

And what "consequences" would there be? A shoot down would be considered an act of war in international waters. Which means if US Navy Hornets do the same thing to Chinese planes, then they would be shot down as well, according to your policy. That is just ridiculous.

Good luck on finding the F-22s. Chinese physics does not work in international airspace.

I said "assets". A Chinese submarine stalked a US aircraft carrier in 2006 and the US did squat about it. Speaking of F-22s, they can be detected at very close range.

 

[gambit]

And what "consequences" would there be? A shoot down would be considered an act of war in international waters. Which means if US Navy Hornets do the same thing to Chinese planes, then they would be shot down as well, according to your policy. That is just ridiculous.

Then leave US aircrafts in international space alone. Contrary to popular belief, it does not need to involve firearms to cause an international incident.

I said "assets". A Chinese submarine stalked a US aircraft carrier in 2006 and the US did squat about it.

You can go on believing that we did not know about the sub.

Speaking of F-22s, they can be detected at very close range.

True...When the other pilot screams: "Aaaaiiiieeehhhh...!!!" Before his aircraft goes "Ka-blooey".

 

[cn_habs]

I hope ALL Chinese believe that. I really do.

A wannabe tough guy now? When it comes to the SCS, you become old self and when it comes to TW, you are showing a hawkish Yankee who never proved his worth.

Maybe Agent Orange had some brainwashing ability too over some.

 

[gambit]

A wannabe tough guy now? When it comes to the SCS, you become old self and when it comes to TW, you are showing a hawkish Yankee who never proved his worth.

Maybe Agent Orange had some brainwashing ability too over some.

Hmmm...A conscript reject talking smack is criticizing others about being a tough guy.

 

[S.M.R]

Pentagon rejects call to halt spy flights near China

The Pentagon on Wednesday rejected China’s demand that all U.S. surveillance flights near China be halted after two Chinese fighter jets recently intercepted an American U-2 spy plane over the Taiwan Strait.

“We will continue to fly these missions in international airspace as a matter of freedom of navigation,” said Marine Col. Dave Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman.

China's Defense Ministry demanded an end to the U.S. military flights, according to a report Wednesday in the Global Times newspaper, part of the Communist Party-controlled news media.

“We demand that the U.S. respect China’s sovereignty and security interests, and take concrete measures to boost a healthy and stable development of military relations,” the ministry said.

Chinese military expert Song Xiaojun told the newspaper that China can legitimately interrupt the flights. “Sending flights to intercept spying activities is essential to show China’s resolution to defend its sovereignty,” he said.

In China, such comments reflect official policy.

The Chinese demand followed this week’s disclosure of one of the most aggressive challenges by China to U.S. reconnaissance flights in months.

According to U.S. defense officials, two Chinese Su-27 jets chased a U-2 aircraft over the Taiwan Strait on June 29, and one jet crossed over the dividing line between Taiwan and the mainland along the 100-mile-wide waterway.

It was reportedly the first time since 1999 that a Chinese jet crossed over the line.

Two Taiwanese F-16s were scrambled to intercept the Chinese jet, which returned to the other side of the median line.

Col. Lapan’s statement echoed earlier remarks by Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said the U.S. military would not back down from conducting surveillance flights.

Adm. Mullen said he discussed the reconnaissance flights during a recent visit to China and at earlier talks in Washington with Chinese Gen. Chen Bingde, chief of the general staff.

“This is international airspace, in this case, and we won’t be deterred from flying in international airspace,” he said.

Adm. Mullen said halting the reconnaissance flights and giving in to Chinese demands would violate long-established international rules for freedom of navigation.

“The Chinese would see us move out of there,” he said. “I don’t see that as the case. We’re not going to do that, from my perspective. These reconnaissance flights are important.”

U.S. military and civilian intelligence agencies for decades have gained valuable data by listening in to communications and intercepting other Chinese electronic data, ranging from military activities to signals from weapons, U.S. officials have said.

The gathering of intelligence on China’s military remains a high priority for U.S. spy agencies.

Adm. Mullen said the issue remains a major difference between the two militaries.

“The Chinese don’t like our routine reconnaissance flights in international air space, and we don’t like any attempt to inhibit freedom of navigation and access to the global commons, to include international waters and airspace,” he said.

Care is needed in conducting the flights, which often are launched out of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa or from bases in South Korea.

“We have to be careful about the intercepts [of the flights],” Adm. Mullen said. “We have to make sure that we don’t repeat what happened in 2001.”

In April 2001, a Chinese J-8 jet intercepted an American EP-3 flight near the Chinese coast and flew too close, causing a collision.

The Chinese pilot died when his jet crashed into the sea. The 23 U.S. crew members nearly perished, but made an emergency landing on China’s Hainan Island, where they were held captive for 11 days.

China then stripped the aircraft of its sensitive gear and forced the Pentagon to cut up the aircraft and ship it out of the country in pieces.

“These are our lives that are at stake up there, in addition to creating an incident, whether it’s in the air like that or in the South China Sea, that escalates the tension over there and could put countries in a position to miscalculate, go in the wrong direction with respect to stability and peaceful resolution of these kinds of things,” Adm. Mullen said.

The Joint Chiefs chairman told reporters after his recent visit to China that “stark” differences remain between the two militaries, despite efforts to try and develop closer ties.

Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman-designate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in written answers to questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee made public this week that the Pentagon is taking steps to bolster forces and alliances against China.

“Force posture, presence, capability developments and actions that strengthen our alliances and partnerships will demonstrate our ability and commitment to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific,” he said when asked how the U.S. should respond to China’s military buildup.

Pentagon rejects call to halt spy flights near China - Washington Times

 

[Chogy]

Again, international (air or water) means freely navigable to anybody, any time.

China seems to have its own definition of international vs. territorial waters. Spratley Islands, anyone?

How can anyone with a shred of intellectual honesty claim that China has a better claim to the Spratly's than Malaysia, Vietnam, or the Philippines?

I believe this area is going to see armed conflict in the future, probably between Vietnam and China.

 

[Dalai Lama]

The hypothetical EEZ is the fairest solution.

 

[mhb56]

EX-superpower! I never heard of a current country with high technologically added industries and supreme military dominance in land, sea, air, and space been protrayed as a Ex-superpower. You seem to be underestimating us, my friend. You have to remember that we are the ones who came up with this financial system that everybody is living on today, no matter how wrong or good it went through it will always be at our benefits.

Furthermore, concerning this incident, it's all a show and test to China.

 

[HongWu]

China can shoot down US aircraft whenever it wants to. PLAAF completely dominates the air. In 2010 USAF tried to challenge China in the Yellow Sea but their F-22s were locked on by PLAAF fighters. One F/A-18 was damaged by electronic warfare attack and had a very hard landing on the aircraft carrier. Apparently the B-2 that crashed on Guam a couple of years back was also damaged by Chinese electronic warfare attack.

In a shooting war, USAF would be knocked out very swiftly. USAF already considers F-22 a failed project. Now F-35 is going to be cut back too. J-10's and J-20's will be ruling the air for decades to come.

 

[majesticpankaj]

China can shoot down US aircraft whenever it wants to. PLAAF completely dominates the air. In 2010 USAF tried to challenge China in the Yellow Sea but their F-22s were locked on by PLAAF fighters. One F/A-18 was damaged by electronic warfare attack and had a very hard landing on the aircraft carrier. Apparently the B-2 that crashed on Guam a couple of years back was also damaged by Chinese electronic warfare attack.

In a shooting war, USAF would be knocked out very swiftly. USAF already considers F-22 a failed project. Now F-35 is going to be cut back too. J-10's and J-20's will be ruling the air for decades to come.

That is Legendary...

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

this is a very dangerous path.....what right do they have sending spy aircrafts in those non-hostile territories.


this is bound to lead to a confrontation; it creates a very bad precedent. The US would be well-advised to scale back and end this activity, in my opinion. Especially at a time when the U.S. needs to tighten its belt and cut back on government spending.

besides, the US & China have a very symbiotic relationship. . . neither will benefit from outwardly hostile relations

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

China has long objected to US reconnaissance of its coastline, especially since a US spy plane and a People's Liberation Army jet collided in 2001 near Hainan island, killing the Chinese pilot. The crew of the US plane was detained for 11 days in a major diplomatic row.

Adm Mike Mullen, the top US military official, said: "We won't be deterred from flying in international airspace.

These reconnaissance flights are important."

...........................................

the Pentagon wants to build bridges with Beijing.

The relationship between China and the US should be based on "candid and forthright" talks rather than suspicion, he added.

 

[Juice]

PLAAF should send a couple of fighters to greet US surviellance aircraft over "international" air space!

They should! Last time we took them down with a prop plane.

 

[Juice]

Yea bankrupt yourself to death.

Ourselves? Lol, where do you live?