US flight near islands 'serious military provocation': Chinese defense ministry

BEIJING - China on Saturday said the flight of two B-52 strategic bombers over the area near the Nansha Islands was a serious military provocation and such actions must be prevented.

The two US bombers flew into the airspace near an island and reef of the Nansha Islands early on Dec. 10. Military personnel on the island and reef went on high alert and warned the aircraft to leave, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

The United States has continuously sent military ships and planes to make a show of force and create tensions in the waters and airspace, according to the ministry.

Such actions have severely threatened the safety of Chinese personnel and facilities as well as peace and stability of the region, it said.

The actions by the US side were a serious military provocation, creating complex conditions in the South China Sea and even militarization in the region, it said.

The ministry demanded the United States immediately adopt measures to prevent such dangerous actions in order to prevent damaging relations between the two militaries and countries.

The Chinese armed forces will take whatever measures necessary to safeguard China's national sovereignty and security as well as peace and stability of the region, according to the ministry.