A photo taken earlier this year shows artificial islands under construction by China in an area of the South China Sea the nation claims as its territory in dispute with neighboring countries. China complained Saturday of airspace violations over the islands by U.S. B-52 aircraft.(Photo: EPA)
China called on the United States to end "provocative" military actions Saturday<span style="color: Red;">*</span>after two B-52 bombers flew near islands in the South China Sea that Beijing claims it owns.
The Pentagon said Friday it is investigating the Dec. 10<span style="color: Red;">*</span>incident, which it characterized as a routine training mission.
China's military<span style="color: Red;">*</span>went on high alert during the incident and ordered the American bombers to leave the area,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, according to the state-run<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Xinhua news agency.
"China takes the incident seriously," Hong said. "We once again urge the United States to seriously reflect upon and correct its mistakes, take effective measures to prevent similar, dangerous and provocative actions and stop any move that may undermine China's sovereignty."
China claims territorial sovereignty to virtually all of the South China<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Sea, which includes some of the world's busiest trade routes. Five other<span style="color: Red;">*</span>countries have competing claims in the same region. Washington has said<span style="color: Red;">*</span>that international law does not give China any territorial rights around<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the new, artificially built<span style="color: Red;">*</span>islands.
The disputed area is a collection of reefs and islets known as the Spratly Islands, but which China calls the Nansha Islands. China has increased<span style="color: Red;">*</span>its presence in the region over the last decade and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>is dredging sand and building major land-based facilities — including long runways and deep-water ports on the islands.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Neighboring nations, such as Vietnam and the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Philippines<span style="color: Red;">*</span>have protested the moves.
USA TODAY
China complains about B-52 flight
The Pentagon said Friday that the two bombers flew closer than planned to Cuateron Reef in the Spratly Islands and the incident is being investigated. Navy Cmdr. Bill Urban, a Defense Department spokesman, said B-52 bombers routinely conduct training missions throughout the area.
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