BEIJING, June 1 -- A US RC-135 reconnaissance plane deliberately intruded into a PLA naval routine training exercise in the South China Sea on May 26. The PLA Southern Theater Command organized air forces to track and monitor the US military plane throughout the entire process, handling the situation lawfully and professionally, said Army Senior Colonel Zhang Nandong, the spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command, in a written statement on Wednesday.
"The US action seriously undermined regional peace and stability. And the relevant reports, in disregard of the facts, are twisting black and white, and making false accusations in an attempt to confuse international public opinion," said the spokesperson. "We sternly urge the US side to earnestly restrain the operations of its frontline maritime and aerial forces, strictly abide by international law and relevant agreements, and prevent air and sea accidents. Otherwise, the US will bear all the consequences arising therefrom."
The spokesperson also stressed that the troops of the PLA Southern Theater Command will always stay on high alert and resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty and security, as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea.