China, a J-16 fighter passes a short distance from the US plane

A Chinese J-16 fighter jet maneuvered after it intercepted a US RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft in international waters of the South China Sea last week. This was confirmed by the Pentagon, specifying that the incident occurred on May 26 last year.

According to the US Department of Defense, the Chinese fighter abruptly cut off the US plane, forcing the pilot to turn inside the J-16's wake turbulence to avoid a crash. The US Indo-Pacific Command specified in a statement that the US aircraft was conducting "a routine mission" in international airspace. "The United States will continue to organize and conduct operations wherever permitted by international law, in a safe and responsible manner," the statement quoted by Nova News reads.