BEIJING -- China on Wednesday demanded that the United States refrain from flying reconnaissance aircraft over Chinese waters.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a US claim on China's "unsafe" interception of an American aircraft over the East China Sea.

"The United States that is deliberately stirring up the issue," said Hong.

China's air fleet have always acted in a professional and responsible way and in line with law, said Hong.

"The United States' frequent reconnaissance over Chinese waters, which severely undermines China's maritime and air safety, is the real source of danger," said Hong, urging the US side to stop its close surveillance of China. ' China has the right to take defensive measures, said the spokesperson.

US Pacific Command said in a statement that two Chinese J-10 fighter jets carried out an "unsafe" intercept of an American RC-135 reconnaissance plane over the East China Sea.