Old North News

China accuses the United States of provocation for the second time in one week. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis took to Twitter to express his concerns about China, following the country's accusations of provocation against the United States for the second time in a week, involving two separate incidents.

On May 31, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning issued a warning to the United States following the interception of an American spy plane by a Chinese fighter jet. However, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command disputes these claims, asserting that the Chinese aircraft flew directly in front of the American spy plane. Video evidence of the event was released by the U.S., The Hill reports.

"China is a serious adversary threatening our nation’s military, allies, and partners" Tills said. "We must do everything we can to maintain a clear-eyed, whole-of-government approach toward treating China as the significant threat they pose to our national security."

Chinese officials conversely cited American provocation.

“For quite some time, the U.S. side has frequently sent aircraft and vessels to conduct close-in reconnaissance on China, seriously threatening China’s sovereignty and security,” Ning said according to The Hill. “Such provocative and dangerous moves are the root cause for maritime security issues. The U.S. needs to immediately stop such dangerous acts of provocation.”

In the second incident on June 3, it is alleged that a Chinese warship crossed in front of an American warship, coming within 150 yards of its bow and compelling the U.S. ship to take immediate evasive action to prevent a collision. This occurrence was also captured on video, further substantiating the United States' account of the event. Following the near collision, China's defense minister, Li Shangfu, accused the United States of being responsible for the incident, as the U.S. was close to their territory, CNN reports.

“The best way is for the countries, especially the naval vessels and fighter jets of countries, not to do closing actions around other countries’ territories,” Li said through an interpreter, according to the Associated Press. “What’s the point of going there? In China we always say, ‘Mind your own business.’”