Overflight raises tension in South China Sea

On May 20, a US surveillance plane flew near some islands in the South China Sea where Chinese workers are engaged in reclamation and construction. A CNN reporter was on the plane, and the media co-released a video with US Department of Defense in which warnings from the Chinese navy requiring them to leave the security alert zone were clear. Comments:

The US has clear intentions behind the overflight, as it has expressed its opposition to China's construction activities on islands and reefs in the South China Sea for a year. However, being unable to halt the work, it is encouraging speculation over the purpose to put pressure on China. The repeated warnings of the Chinese navy further show how "tense" the situation is.

People's Daily, via WeChat, May 23