China slams US after B-52 bomber flies over contested South China Sea reef

Beijing files diplomatic protest over the B-52 flight; Pentagon claims route was unintentional

An American B-52 bomber on a routine mission over the South China Sea unintentionally flew within two nautical miles of an artificial island built by China, senior U.S. defense officials said,

[link to www.wsj.com]

China accused the U.S. Saturday of a serious military provocation following the flight of an American B-52 strategic bomber over China’s disputed territory in the South China Sea.

A Defense Ministry statement said the U.S. is deliberately raising tensions in the disputed region. It demanded Washington immediately take measures to prevent such incidents and damage to relations when the two nations’ militaries.

Pentagon officials told The Wall Street Journal they are investigating the flight path of the B-52. The military jet flew closer to Cuarteron Reef in the Spratly Islands. A senior U.S. defense official told the Journal bad weather may have contributed to the pilot flying off course and into area China claims.

[link to www.foxnews.com]

Last Edited by Jozo on 12/19/2015 04:44 AM