Pentagon cites 'dangerous' Chinese jet intercept

The Pentagon said that a Chinese fighter jet conducted a "dangerous intercept" of a US Navy aircraft three days ago off the coast of China in international airspace.

The Pentagon press secretary, Rear Adm. John Kirby, said today that Washington has lodged a protest to China through diplomatic channels.

Kirby said the Chinese jet made several close passes by the Navy P-8 Poseidon plane, coming within 30 feet (10 meters) of it.

He said the Chinese jet did a roll maneuver over the top of the Poseidon and also passed across the nose of the Navy plane, exposing the belly of the fighter in a way apparently designed to show that it was armed.
 

Kirby said it happened about 135 miles (215 kilometers) east of Hainan Island.