Two Chinese military aircraft intercepted a U.S. military plane over the South China Sea Tuesday, NBC News reported.

The Department of Defense said the aircraft was flying in a “routine patrol” in international airspace when “two tactical aircraft” from China intercepted it.

China has been asserting its territorial claims over most of the South China Sea, which is believed to have large oil and gas deposits. The country has accused the U.S. of “militarizing” the area, to which Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

The incident is under investigation by the U.S. Pacific Command.

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