On Wednesday, the Chinese navy issued warnings eight times for a U.S. surveillance plane to leave an area near man-made islands that Beijing has built to establish influence in the South China Sea, reported CNN.

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The Chinese military build-up on the islands has alarmed the Pentagon, as well as America's regional allies. For this reason, the United States carried out surveillance flights over the South China Sea to inform China that the West does not identify with Chinese territorial claims.

P8-A Poseidon, the most cutting-edge aircraft in U.S. surveillance and submarine-hunting, carried CNN the during the Wednesday confrontation above the South China Sea's disputed waters. It was clear that the Chinese were not pleased with the U.S. surveillance.

"This is the Chinese navy [...] This is the Chinese navy [...] Please go away," said a voice through the radio of the aircraft

During that one mission, the Chinese navy ordered the P8 to go out of the airspace eight times, and every time, the P8 pilot would calmly tell the Chinese radio operator that the P8 is flying through international airspace.

At one point, in exasperation, the Chinese voice told the American pilot, "This is the Chinese navy [...] You go!"

The U.S. aircraft had been flying at 15,000 feet in the air at the time of the confrontation, but it wants to get even closer the man-made islands to establish a more robust U.S. military presence.

The source of the Chinese voice heard through the radio of the P8 is a Chinese-made island some 600 miles from the country's coastline. The Wednesday confrontation occurred over Fiery Cross Reef, an island complete with military barracks and a runway.

For years, the South China Sea has been fought over territorial claims since the area is rich in fertile fishing grounds and potential abundant marine natural resources. Even though mainland China is far from the body of water, it is adamant at showing it has jurisdiction in the area.

In 2013, China started constructing the man-made islands, creating land at the sea surface by repurposing sand at the area's 300-foot-deep waters. Over the past two years, China has built 2,000 acres of artificial land in the disputed area, according to the International Business Times.

The United States is concerned that the three islands they are monitoring, which were merely reefs months ago, would be fully functioning Chinese military bases.

If China does not stop at establishing their military presence in the area, former CIA deputy director Michael Morell warned that a war between China and the United States will occur.

"China is a rising power. We're a status quo power. We're the big dog on the block [...] They want more influence," he said. "Are we going to move a little bit? Are they going to push? How is that dance going to work out? This is a significant issue for the next President of the United States."

Though Morell said war is not in both country's interests, there is still an absolute risk.

A freedom of navigation exercise is being planned by the United States in which more U.S. ships or aircraft would be hovering within 12 nautical miles of Beijing-claimed territory, reported The Australian. The plan to emphasize freedom of navigation and freedom of the air aims to make it known that the United States does not approve of Beijing's construction over the disputed waters.

Tagschina warns US, U.S., U.S. china clash, US, spratlys