Philippines and China in Tense Aerial Encounter Over South China Sea

The Philippines and China traded accusations over a dangerous encounter involving aircrafts over the South China Sea. The Philippine military condemned China's actions, while China claimed its maneuvers were legal. This incident marks the first complaint by the Philippines concerning Chinese aircraft since President Marcos Jr took office.

The Philippines and China engaged in a heated exchange on Saturday following an aerial encounter over a disputed area of the South China Sea. The Philippine military issued a strong condemnation, labeling China's air force maneuvers as 'dangerous and provocative,' while the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) defended its actions as professional and legal.

This incident, which occurred over the Scarborough Shoal, marks the first complaint from the Philippines about Chinese aircraft since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's tenure began in 2022. According to the Philippine military, two Chinese aircraft executed hazardous maneuvers and deployed flares in the path of a Philippine patrol aircraft.

Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner stated that these actions endangered personnel and violated international aviation safety laws. In response, the Chinese PLA accused the Philippine aircraft of illegally intruding into Chinese airspace and disrupting training exercises near Huangyan Island, asserting that its response was within legal boundaries.

(With inputs from agencies.)