The Chinese jets came within 50 feet of the U.S. aircraft at one point during the incident, which took place Tuesday, the official said.

However, Beijng said the EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft flew close to China’s island province of Hainan and its jets “kept a safe distance throughout, without taking any dangerous actions.”

“It needs to be pointed out that American aircraft have constantly entered China’s coastal waters conducting reconnaissance, which has posed a serious threat to China’s maritime and air safety,” Hong Lei, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, said at a regular press briefing Thursday.

“We hereby ask the U.S. immediately to stop these actions so as to avoid the recurrence of such incidents,” he added.