SOUTH CHINA SEA — Tensions continue to escalate in the South China Sea with another encounter this week between the U.S. and China.

A U.S. Navy plane was in international airspace north of disputed islands in the South China Sea on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The EP-3 Aries signals reconnaissance aircraft was conducting a routine patrol in the area when it was intercepted by a pair of Chinese fighter jets. The two J-11 fighters came within 50 feet of the U.S. plane and flew so close the American pilot was forced to descend about 200 feet to avoid collision.

Pentagon officials say the issue is being addressed through diplomatic and military channels, according to Reuters.

The incident comes less than two weeks after the Chinese scrambled two fighter jets and three warships when a U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near the China-claimed Fiery Cross Reef.

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