US Reconnaissance Aircraft Conduct Surveillance Flights Along Guangdong Coast for Three Consecutive Days

EP-3E Reconnaissance Aircraft Flies Within 51 Nautical Miles
Closely Monitored by Military Authorities

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] It has been reported that a U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft flew along the southern coast of Guangdong Province, China, for three consecutive days.

According to Chinese-language media such as Huanqiu Shibao and Global Times on the 9th, a U.S. military EP-3E reconnaissance aircraft entered the South China Sea through the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines around 9 a.m. on the 8th (local time).

The reconnaissance aircraft flew over southern Taiwan, then turned toward Guangdong Province for close reconnaissance, approaching waters 95.71 km away from China's territorial baseline.

The EP-3E is a military aircraft responsible for signal intelligence collection and reconnaissance, capturing and analyzing all signals from ground and air.

Huanqiu Shibao reported that on the 7th, the EP-3E reconnaissance aircraft flew along the coast of Guangdong Province, and on the 6th, an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft conducted reconnaissance in the area.

In particular, the newspaper stated that on the 7th, the aircraft approached within 60 nautical miles (111 km) of the Guangdong coast, and on the 8th, within 51.68 nautical miles (95.71 km).

The newspaper said, "Chinese military authorities are closely monitoring the reconnaissance flights of the U.S. reconnaissance aircraft."

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping (宋忠平) explained, "The purpose of the U.S. reconnaissance aircraft's flight is to identify the electromagnetic spectrum signals of the Chinese military," adding, "Through this, they can analyze the current status of Chinese weapons and equipment, as well as the level of Chinese military technology." He further added, "This is not only a political show but also involves military considerations."