U.S. accused of sending spy plane over Chinese no-fly zone

• The Chinese Government has reprimanded the U.S. for supposedly flying a reconnaissance plane over restricted air space
• China’s military was undertaking live-fire drills in the area and said the plane flying over them was a “provocative act”
• Beijing also warned this incident could’ve led to a “misunderstanding” or “unexpected incident”
• However, the U.S. denies it was flying in a no-fly zone and said it follows international rules when flying in the Indo-Pacific
• The flight incident is just the latest dispute between the two countries, who are fighting over everything from trade to human rights

China has accused the U.S. of flying a spy plane in a restricted area where military drills were taking place, in the latest row between the two countries.

China’s defence ministry said on Tuesday that a U-2 reconnaissance plane flew into a no-fly zone (the exact location hasn’t been released) where the country’s military was undertaking live-fire drills.

The ministry labelled the move as a “provocative act” and warned it could’ve resulted in a “misunderstanding” or “unexpected incident.”

“It was an act of naked provocation, and China is resolutely opposed to it, and have already lodged stern representations with the US side,” Chinese officials stated.

“China demands the US side immediately stop this kind of provocative behaviour and take actual steps to safeguard peace and stability in the region,” they added.

But the U.S. denies the U-2 plane was flying in any restricted airspace. In a statement, the country’s military said it conducted a flight “within the accepted international rules and regulations”.

The U.S. also pushed back against China’s order to stop carrying out the surveillance flights, stating “Pacific Air Forces personnel will continue to fly and operate anywhere international law allows.”

This flight incident is just the latest dispute between the two countries, who are fighting over everything from trade to human rights.