BEIJING (TVBS News) — Liu Peng-yu, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., called on the United States on Thursday (Oct. 19) to cease spreading misinformation, stressing China's actions are necessary measures.
Liu's remarks came after the recent release of videos and photographs by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), showing People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft approaching and releasing jamming projectiles near U.S. military aircraft.
In his response, Liu highlighted that U.S. military aircraft conducted 657 close-reconnaissance missions in the South China Sea in 2022.
He urged countries to refrain from provocative actions and to halt activities damaging China's national security and regional stability.
Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs of the DoD, reported that there have been over 1,180 'dangerous interceptions' by PLA aircraft against U.S. planes since fall 2021 — surpassing the "combined total of the past decade."