Recently released footage by Chinese state media shows a close encounter between carrier-based fighter jets from China and the U.S. over an unspecified maritime location. The footage, part of a documentary aired by China Central Television on April 11, features a Chinese J-15 jet flying close to what appears to be a U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter aircraft. The U.S. Pacific Fleet refrained from commenting on the specific incident but reiterated that American forces routinely operate in international waters and airspace in the Indo-Pacific region.
Strategic Waters See Growing U.S.-China Naval Presence Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
The western Pacific, including the East and South China Seas, remains a hotbed of geopolitical tension, with both U.S. and Chinese military forces maintaining active presences. The U.S. frequently deploys aircraft carriers to the area as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, with fighter jets serving to intercept potential threats. These deployments are aimed at reinforcing freedom of navigation in waters claimed by multiple nations, including China.
Chinese Jets Confront U.S. Fighters as Rival Naval Operations Intensify Across Indo-Pacific WatersThe documentary that aired the footage highlights China’s growing naval capabilities, focusing on the operations of the J-15 fighters aboard its aircraft carriers. With two carriers active and a third expected to be operational by mid-2025, China is signaling its expanding reach. Analysts noted the aircraft in the footage resembled a U.S. Navy F/A-18, although the Pentagon did not confirm its identity. The clip is likely part of a broader Chinese effort to showcase its naval readiness and growing deterrence capabilities.
Continued Intercepts Reflect Strategic Rivalry in Overlapping U.S.-China Naval Zones
Chinese military observers stated that the J-15 was dispatched to intercept and drive away the American fighter, aligning with China’s pattern of asserting its maritime claims. The Philippine Sea, where China conducted multiple far-seas training missions in 2023, overlaps with major U.S. naval operating zones. This region plays a key role in the U.S. containment strategy, which seeks to limit China’s access to the broader Pacific through island chain-based defenses.
Though tensions remain high, the Pentagon noted a recent decline in coercive air intercepts by Chinese forces compared to previous years. However, military encounters like the one shown in the footage are expected to continue as both nations maintain a strong presence in contested waters. The U.S. reiterated its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, signaling that its operations, alongside allies and partners, will continue in adherence to international law.