Chinese Navy Helicopter Flies Dangerously Close To Philippine Patrol Plane

A Chinese military helicopter flies

A recent incident in the South China Sea has heightened tensions between China and the Philippines. A Chinese navy helicopter flew within 10 feet of a Philippine patrol plane in a disputed area, prompting the Filipino pilot to issue a warning over the radio about the dangerous proximity.

The Chinese helicopter was reportedly attempting to force a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources plane out of what China claims as its airspace over the Scarborough Shoal. The tense standoff lasted for about 30 minutes, with the Philippine pilot expressing concerns about safety standards set by aviation authorities.

Despite the close encounter, the Philippine plane maintained its planned path and altitude, avoiding a potential collision. The Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries reaffirmed their commitment to asserting sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

China's military, on the other hand, accused the Philippine plane of illegally entering its airspace without permission. The Chinese Southern Theater Command deployed naval and air forces to track and warn the Philippine aircraft away.

Philippine pilot issued a warning over radio about the proximity.

Chinese helicopter flew dangerously close to Philippine plane in disputed area.

China claims Scarborough Shoal airspace, Philippines asserts sovereignty in West Philippine Sea.

This incident is the latest in a series of confrontations in the South China Sea involving multiple countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The territorial disputes in the region have been ongoing for decades, with tensions escalating in recent years.

The Philippines has sought international arbitration to address its disputes with China, but Beijing has rejected the outcomes and continues to assert its claims in the South China Sea. In response, the Philippines has strengthened security alliances with countries like the United States, Japan, Australia, and others to bolster its defense capabilities.

The United States, as the oldest treaty ally of the Philippines in Asia, has reiterated its commitment to defend the country in case of armed attacks, including in the South China Sea. China, however, has warned against external interference in what it considers a regional dispute.