FILE PHOTO: A U.S. Navy EP-3E Aries signals reconnaissance aircraft, escorted by an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, performs a flyby over aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Arabian Gulf April 24, 2016. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bobby J Siens/Handout/File Photo via REUTERS.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that its pilots actions were legal, necessary and professional after two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a U.S. Navy surveillance plane over the East China Sea at the weekend.

The ministry said in a statement that the U.S. plane threatened China’s national security, and urged the United States to immediately cease such military activities.