In a dramatic escalation of maritime tensions, the Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday accused the Chinese navy of engaging in dangerously close flight maneuvers near a government aircraft conducting surveillance over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
“This reckless action posed a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers,” the Coast Guard stated, highlighting the potential dangers of such encounters in contested waters. The incident occurred during a maritime domain awareness flight over the Scarborough Shoal, a crucial fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, a helicopter from the People’s Liberation Army Navy approached the fisheries aircraft at an alarming distance of just three meters, which they deemed a “clear violation and blatant disregard” for aviation regulations.
Scarborough Shoal, named after a British ship that ran aground there nearly three centuries ago, remains one of the most contentious maritime features in the South China Sea. This area has been a flashpoint for repeated clashes between Beijing and Manila. China asserts sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea—a critical route for over $3 trillion in annual trade—creating friction with neighboring nations like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Although a 2016 arbitration ruling invalidated China’s sweeping claims, Beijing has consistently refused to recognize the decision, further complicating the already tense situation.
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