Chinese Jet Intercepts US Air Force Plane, ‘Improper Airmanship’ to Blame

This photo taken on October 23, 2013 shows Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) fighter jets leaving their base in Shanghai. Beijing's behaviour in its row with Tokyo over disputed islands is jeopardising peace, Japan's defence minister said on October 29, days after China warned a reported plan to shoot down its drones would constitute "an act of war". Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

A Chinese jet intercepted a U.S. Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft that was flying in international airspace over the East China Sea.

The United States Pacific Command issued a statement about the incident.

“This seems to be a case of improper airmanship, as no other provocative or unsafe maneuvers occurred,” the Pacific Command said Tuesday. “One of the intercepting Chinese jets had an unsafe excessive rate of closure on the RC-135 aircraft,” the statement added.

Two People’s Liberation Army Air Force Chengdu J-10 Firebird fighters intercepted the Air Force jet, U.S. officials said.

RC-135 U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung