A recent incident in the South China Sea saw a Chinese navy helicopter flying dangerously close, just three metres from a Philippine patrol plane. The Filipino pilot warned the helicopter over the radio about the unsafe proximity, labelling it a serious risk to the crew’s safety. This tense encounter occurred as the helicopter attempted to drive away a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries aircraft operating in an area claimed by China, specifically near Scarborough Shoal, which has long been a point of contention.
This incident adds to ongoing territorial disputes in the bustling trade waters of the South China Sea. Notably, the Australian government has also expressed concerns over its Royal Australian Air Force aircraft, which was recently intercepted by Chinese fighter jets, addressing the dangerous nature of such confrontations.
Both the Philippine pilot and government officials reaffirmed their commitment to asserting sovereignty over the region, referring specifically to its designation as the West Philippine Sea. Meanwhile, the Chinese military reported that the Philippine plane had illegally entered airspace claimed by China and accused the Philippines of distorting the narrative surrounding the incident. The situation remains a complex mix of national interests and international tensions.