(CNN) — The Chinese government is calling U.S. surveillance flights over the South China Sea a threat to peace in the region and warning that they could lead to accidents in the air or at sea.

The message was delivered after the U.S. military on Wednesday (May 20) undertook a reconnaissance flight on which a CNN crew flew.

“The recent surveillance activity by a U.S. plane posed potential threats to China’s islands and reefs, making it highly possible to lead to misjudgment, which could cause maritime or air accidents,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, according to a report on state-run CNTV.

The CNN crew was aboard a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon, an anti-submarine and surveillance jet, as it patrolled islands that Beijing is using to extend its zone of influence in the disputed area.

Read more: http://cnnphilippines.com/world/2015/05/23/us-threatens-peace-in-south-china-sea-says-beijing.html