U.S. and Chinese fighter jets briefly confronted over the Yellow Sea near the Korean Peninsula during Chinese New Year, marking a rare direct aerial encounter amid rising regional tensions.

US and Chinese fighter jets had a brief aerial standoff over the Yellow Sea near the Korean Peninsula, with U.S. F-16s flying from Osan Air Base in South Korea toward the edge of China’s air defense identification zone. China responded by scrambling its own fighters, though neither side entered the other’s ADIZ. The incident, occurring during the Chinese New Year, marks a rare direct encounter and reflects ongoing military tensions amid shifting U.S. strategy emphasizing regional deterrence and allied responsibility. No further details were confirmed by the U.S., South Korea, or China.