Beijing objects to US spy plane in Singapore

Washington's deployment of a P8 Poseidon spy plane to Singapore this month was criticized by Beijing on Tuesday as part of a US attempt to militarize the South China Sea that does not serve the "common and long-term interests" of the region.

P8 aircraft have made headlines in recent years for their role at the forefront of US challenges to China.

In a joint statement after a meeting in Washington on Monday, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen announced that the aircraft would be in Singapore for one week, from Dec 7 to 14.