SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A&nbsp;U.S. military plane involved in a confrontation with Chinese&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;in disputed southern waters last week had violated international law and put the safety of Chinese pilots at risk, a defence ministry spokesman said.
The&nbsp;U.S. military said on Thursday that a Chinese Navy J-11 fighter jet had come within 10 feet (3 metres) of a&nbsp;U.S. air force RC-135&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;on Dec 21, forcing it to take evasive manoeuvres to avoid a collision.
But Tian Junli, spokesman for&nbsp;China's Southern Theatre Command, said in a statement late on Saturday that the United States had misled the public about the incident near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea.
He said the&nbsp;U.S. plane violated international law, disregarded repeated warnings by&nbsp;China&nbsp;and made dangerous approaches that threatened the safety of&nbsp;China's&nbsp;aircraft.
"The United States deliberately misleads public opinion... in an attempt to confuse the international audience," Tian said.
"We solemnly request the&nbsp;U.S. side to restrain the actions of frontline naval and air forces, strictly abide by related international laws and agreements, and prevent accidents in the sea and the air."
China&nbsp;claims almost the entire South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea as its sovereign territory, but parts of it are contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.
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(Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by Neil Fullick)

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