A Z-9 helicopter belonging to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China recently intercepted a Cessna 208B maritime surveillance aircraft from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources over the South China Sea. The incident occurred in the early morning hours while the Philippine aircraft was conducting a routine patrol over Scarborough Shoal.
Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Dao in China, has been a point of contention between the two nations for decades. Beijing considers it part of its territory, despite its location just 120 nautical miles from the Philippine island of Luzon and within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In 2012, China took de facto control of the reef after a standoff with Manila. However, despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration—which determined that maritime features in the South China Sea cannot be claimed as part of a national EEZ—China has continued to assert its territorial claims.
According to the Chinese authorities’ account, the Philippine Cessna 208B flew over Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, allegedly entering Chinese airspace illegally. In response, the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) closely monitored the aircraft and deployed a PLAN Z-9 helicopter, which flew as close as three meters from the Philippine aircraft.
Philippine authorities condemned the incident as a provocative and dangerous action, describing it as a violation of international aviation regulations. Meanwhile, China stated that the Philippine aircraft entered its “airspace” without prior authorization and accused Manila of distorting the facts.
This event adds to the growing list of hostile encounters between the two nations in recent years. It also comes amid intensified military activities involving the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada in the South China Sea. For instance, on February 6, a U.S. Air Force (USAF) B-1B Lancer bomber and Philippine Air Force (PAF) KAI FA-50PH fighters conducted a joint patrol over the South China Sea, flying over Scarborough Shoal.
Cover image: courtesy of Camille Elemia.
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