The U.S. Navy let CNN see one of China’s island fortresses in the South China Sea on Friday, and during the flight reporters heard several warnings from the Chinese military telling the plane to leave immediately.
The CNN team was flown in a U.S. reconnaissance plane over the disputed waters where they were given a glimpse of China’s expanding militarization, but as they flew over one island's airfield and radar installations – which were once sandbars and shoals – the warnings began to stream in.
“U.S. military aircraft, this is China ... leave immediately and keep out to avoid any misunderstanding,” a voice said at one point, according to CNN.
The plane’s crew reportedly received six separate warnings from the Chinese military, urging them to leave the Chinese territory.
"It was surprising to see airports in the middle of the ocean," said Lt. Lauren Callen, who was leading the air combat crew aboard the Navy flight.
There have been longstanding territorial tensions in the South China Sea, a large section which is claimed by Beijing.
Over the last two years China has been fortifying several islands, which was demonstrated earlier this year when reports emerged that Beijing installed radar on the Spratly Islands.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies reported that this could “significantly bolster China’s ability to monitor surface and air traffic across the southern portion of the South China Sea.”
The newly-built radar facilities came shortly after Beijing installed surface-to-air missiles on the Paracel Islands, and China continues to build runways and other infrastructure in the area.
Beijing previously said its increasing military presence was as a direct result of tensions in the region sparked by Washington and its allies, CNN noted.
In June, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Beijing was intimidating and coercing others in the South China Sea by putting weapons systems on manmade islands.
He raised the prospect of additional U.S. steps against China if its “militarization” of the region keeps apace.
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