China's defense ministry: Chinese military aircraft investigates US spy plane

China's Ministry of National Defense spokesman, Wu Qian, said on Sunday that Chinese military aircraft investigated and verified a US surveillance aircraft that entered Hong Kong's airspace on Thursday.

China's Ministry of National Defense spokesman Wu Qian [File photo: Xinhua]

Wu said the operations were conducted in accordance with international law, and were professional and safe.

Wu made clear that what the US media reported were not in accordance with the fact, which said that two Chinese  J-10 fighter jets "intercepted" a US P-3 spy plane.

Wu added that recently the US has conducted several operations of US navy ships and aircraft entering into China's maritime area and airspace, which encroached on China's sovereignty and could risk flaring up tensions in the maritime body.

"Again, China urges the US to correct its mistake and refrain from further patrols," said Wu. "The Chinese army will firmly do its duty to defend the country's sovereignty and safety."