Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt of US Air Force
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Monday responded to media reports that six aircraft of the US Air Force They carried out a flying mission "international airspace" in the vicinity of the Huangyan Island in the South China Sea on April 19 2016.
"We have noticed these reports, and it should be noted that the US is pushing the militarization of the South China Sea on behalf of "freedom of navigation", Information Office of the Ministry said in a official statement.
China is concerned and opposed to such actions that threaten the sovereignty and security of countries around the South China Sea and undermine peace and regional stability, he said.
Huangyan Island is inherent territory of China and the Chinese army will take all necessary measures to safeguard the sovereignty and national security, he added.