The WC-135 crew characterized the intercept as unprofessional "due to the maneuvers by the Chinese pilot, as well as the speeds and proximity of both aircraft," Hodge said. "We would rather discuss it privately with China," Hodge said in an email to The Associated Press. China has demanded foreign aircraft operating within the zone declare their intentions and follow Chinese instructions. It wasn't clear where the incident happened or whether it was within the self-declared Chinese zone. Unexpected and unsafe intercepts involving U.S. and Chinese military aircraft have occurred occasionally over the South China Sea, which China claims virtually in its entirety.

Source: The China Post May 19, 2017 05:37 UTC