A Chinese fighter jet came within 6 meters of an American plane

(Photo: US Army)

The US military announced this morning (Friday) that a Chinese Navy fighter jet flew dangerously close to a US Air Force reconnaissance plane about a week ago, causing it to deviate from its course to avoid a collision.

According to the military statement, the incident happened over the South China Sea, when the Chinese plane passed the American one at a distance of six meters from its frontmost part.

This is an area on which there is an international dispute and China claims exclusive control over the area – and therefore opposes the presence of American intelligence planes there.