Seoul: Tensions rose in the South China Sea as a Chinese military helicopter maneuvered 10 feet from a Philippine patrol plane. The incident occurred near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed territory controlled by China but located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Close Encounter Raises Safety Concerns
The Philippine aircraft, a Cessna Caravan operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, was conducting a routine patrol when the Chinese helicopter made an aggressive maneuver. Witnesses, including an Associated Press reporter, observed the encounter, which lasted about 30 minutes.
The Philippine pilot issued a warning to the Chinese helicopter, saying, “You are flying too close, you are very dangerous and endangering the lives of our crew and passengers.”
The US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, condemned the actions of the Chinese military, calling them “dangerous.” She urged China to respect international law and avoid coercive actions.
China’s Justification and Past Incidents
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command claimed the Philippine plane had “seriously violated China’s sovereignty.” The statement added that the helicopter was acting to “expel” the foreign aircraft from what China calls its territorial airspace.
This was the second alarming incident within a week. Previously, an Australian P-8 reconnaissance aircraft was intercepted by Chinese fighter jets, which fired flares within 100 feet of the Australian plane. Military analysts warned that the flares could have caused catastrophic damage if they had been sucked into the aircraft’s engines.
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles condemned the move, saying it could have “done significant damage” and endangered Australian personnel.
Rising Tensions in the Region
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a region of strategic importance and rich in resources. However, multiple nations, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan, contest Beijing’s claims.
In recent years, there have been numerous close encounters between Chinese forces and aircraft from the US, Australia, Canada, and the Philippines. Military experts warn that China is becoming more assertive in enforcing its territorial claims.
Ray Powell, director of Stanford University’s SeaLight maritime transparency project, stated that China is using a strategy of “gradual escalation.” He explained, “China normalizes its aggressions at ever-greater levels so that over time, they become accepted as the normal cost of operating in contested areas.”
US Response and Future Concerns
Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, warned that China is also using similar “gray zone” tactics around Taiwan. He noted that China’s frequent military activities around Taiwan are not just exercises but “rehearsals for forced unification.”
With global attention focused on Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, experts believe China may see an opportunity to advance its territorial ambitions. The US, as a defense treaty ally of the Philippines, Australia, and Canada, is closely monitoring developments in the region.
As tensions continue to rise, the risk of a miscalculation leading to a serious conflict remains high.
