A Chinese fighter jet intercepted two US Navy sub-hunter aircraft over the South China Sea recently. US officials argued the act was aggressive and in breach of international law. The argument is clearly spurious. The US claimed it had conducted its reconnaissance in “international airspace” and over “international waters” according to international law.

According to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in the exclusive economic zone, all States enjoy, subject to the relevant provisions of this Convention, the freedoms of navigation. But they should take into account the rights and duties of the coastline state. US aircraft conduct frequent, large-scale, close reconnaissance in China's exclusive economic zone, posing a threat to the latter’s military security. The US disregards the right of China in this sphere. In spite of this, the US dwells on the Chinese fighter jet interception.

It is a fact that the US constantly seeks excuses for doing damage to the security of other countries. It has incited neighboring countries to cause trouble with China, escalating the South China Sea Disputes and East China Sea Disputes, under the pretext of defending freedom of navigation and regional development. Furthermore, the US insists in selling weapons to Taiwan, damaging China-Taiwan relations, on the pretext of maintaining the balance of military power of China and of Taiwan.

The US can base its unreasonable excuses on its power and hegemony, evidence of a lack of mutual respect. The US argument about the interception does damage to bilateral interests relations between China and the US.

The article is edited and translated from《美国为何总爱找借口》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Hua Yisheng