China, Philippines clash over South China Sea flyby — SkimNews
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- China accused a Philippine military aircraft of illegally entering territorial airspace over Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal) and said its forces tracked, warned, and expelled it in accordance with laws.
- Philippine armed forces stated a Chinese J-16 fighter jet repeatedly approached and maneuvered in close proximity to a Cessna 208 conducting a routine patrol near Scarborough Shoal on Saturday.
- Chinese Southern Theater Command spokesman Senior Captain Zhai Shichen said the Philippine plane's actions 'seriously violate China's sovereignty' and warned against further 'provocative acts'.
- Philippine government reported a second confrontation on Sunday in the Spratly Islands, escalating tensions two weeks after a China Coast Guard ship allegedly rammed a Philippine fisheries vessel.
- Beijing blamed the Philippine vessel for a prior collision in the Spratlys, asserting it 'bears full responsibility' for the incident.
Why it matters: The back-to-back confrontations deepen military friction in contested waters where both nations assert overlapping claims, increasing the risk of escalation despite no reported injuries or damage. With China reinforcing its de facto control and the Philippines asserting routine patrols, each side’s actions directly challenge the other’s operational legitimacy in the region.
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