Xi Jinping region sees US fighter jet activity as China deploys its own aircraft

Seoul (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions rose this week after US and Chinese fighter jets were involved in a rare aerial standoff over international waters near the Korean Peninsula. According to reports, around 10 US fighter jets took off from a base in South Korea and conducted exercises over waters off the country’s west coast. Although the aircraft did not enter China’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), Chinese forces responded by sending fighter jets to monitor their movements.

An Air Defence Identification Zone is a security area beyond a country’s territorial airspace where approaching foreign aircraft are required to identify themselves. The system is intended to provide early warning against potential threats.

Chinese media reported that the Chinese military carried out surveillance operations in accordance with regulations, deploying both naval and air assets to track the activity. Meanwhile, United States Forces Korea did not immediately issue an official statement.

South Korea’s defence authorities said they could not independently confirm details of the US exercise, noting only that close coordination exists between the two militaries. Reports suggested that South Korean forces were neither involved in the drills nor informed in advance, making the exercise diplomatically unusual.

The incident comes amid growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, where China has expanded its military activities. Disputes involving the South China Sea and Taiwan continue to raise concerns, while friction between China and Japan has also increased in recent

months.