China warns US surveillance planes to leave islands sky

The Chinese navy issued several warnings to the US P8-A Poseidon surveillance aircraft in an apparent effort to establish a no-fly zone near disputed artificial islands in the South China Sea. When US pilots pointed out that they were flying through international airspace, they were told by the Chinese navy to leave. The Pentagon is considering military patrols in the region above Fiery Cross reef, where China is constructing an early-warning station and other military facilities, including a 3,000-meter long runway, under a strong naval presence.
China’s claim of sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, is challenged by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.