China criticises 'provocative' US bomber mission over South Sea amid increasing international tensions

'We are firmly against it and we will take all necessary means to safeguard our rights and interests,' says China's Defence Ministry spokesman

The South China Sea (REUTERS/Ritchie B. Tongo/Pool )

China has criticised a US Air Force B-52 bombers flying mission over the South China Sea this week, calling the operation “provocative” amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing.

“As for the provocative action taken by the U.S. military aircraft, we are firmly against it and we will take all necessary means to safeguard our rights and interests,” said China's Defence Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang according to the AP.

Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave Eastburn had previously said the flights – near disputed areas where China has established military outposts – were part of “regularly scheduled operations”.

“If that was 20 years ago and (China) had not militarised those features there, it would have just been another bomber on its way to Diego Garcia or whatever,” said US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis.

The South China Sea territorial dispute involves China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan.

According to a Reuters report, back in June China’s foreign ministry had said China “won’t be scared” by any military ship or aircraft after two US military bombers flew near the disputed islands.

The US and China have been entangled in a high profile trade war. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump accused China of trying to meddle in the 2018 US midterm elections.

Mr Eastburn said that the US also flew B-52 bombers over the East China Sea earlier this week as part of “regularly scheduled, combined operation”.

“We certainly maintain the military-to-military relationship and the level of participation and collaboration may go up and down at times, but there is a strategic relationship there that I think both sides recognise the need for,” Mr Mattis said.