The United States and China may soon enter into an armed conflict, analysts said.
The British magazine The Economist recalled the incident in the South China Sea more than 20 years ago. In 2001, a US EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft collided with a People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLA) J-8II fighter jet, after which it landed without permission on Hainan Island. Then the Chinese law enforcement officers interrogated 24 Americans.
Ambassador Joseph Pruer was able to resolve the incident and the military was released. The diplomatic skills of Secretary of State Colin Powell also played an important role in this.
Current American politicians are unlikely to agree to compromise. China will not make concessions either, experts stressed. The parties have different views on how to maintain safety in the air. Previously, dangerous incidents of American aircraft and PLA aircraft have already been recorded.