Chinese Defense Ministry: American Bombers That Flew Over Disputed Islands Were Monitored

New air defense zone increasing escalating tensions

China monitored the flight of two US bombers that flew across its newly-declared "air defence identification zone", its defence ministry said.

The B-52 planes flew over disputed islands in the East China Sea on Tuesday without announcing themselves, defying new Chinese air defence rules.

Japan and the US are strongly opposed to the air zone declared by China.

They have accused China of unilaterally attempting to alter the status quo and escalate regional tensions.