U.S. Claims China Is 'Aggressively' Expanding Into South China Sea. Orders Regular Spy Plane Flights

A P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane conducts flyovers above the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group in the Atlantic Ocean in this US Navy picture taken on Feb 3, 2012. The United States has flown its most advanced surveillance plane from a military base in the Philippines over flashpoint areas of the South China Sea, Filipino authorities said on Friday, Feb 27, 2015. Photo: Reuters

Voice of America/Reuters: Advanced US Surveillance Plane Patrols S. China Sea

MANILA — The United States has begun flying its most advanced surveillance aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, out of the Philippines for patrols over the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy said on Thursday, acknowledging the flights for the first time.

The United States, the Philippines' oldest and closest ally, has promised to share "real time" information on what is happening in Philippine waters as China steps up its activities in the South China Sea.

China claims most of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in shipborne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims.

More News On U.S. Ordering Spy Flights While Claiming That China Is 'Aggressively' Expanding Into South China Sea

US sends spy plane to patrol disputed sea -- PhilStar/AP
US flies advanced spy plane over disputed South China Sea: Philippine officials -- The Straits Times/AFP
US Starts Flying Its Most Advanced Spy Planes Over South China Sea -- Sputnik
China 'aggressively' expanding into South China Sea says US -- The Guardian
U.S. National Intelligence head worried by Chinese maritime advances -- Global Post/EFE
American spy plane over South China Sea is ‘a dangerous development’ -- RT
China defends its South China Sea activities as ‘restrained’ after US raises concerns -- AP
China rejects U.S. charges on South China Sea -- Xinhua
China defends its South China Sea activities as restrained -- AP