MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard accused the Chinese navy of engaging in dangerous flight maneuvers on Tuesday (Feb 18), when a Chinese helicopter came dangerously close to a Philippine government aircraft flying over the South China Sea. The Philippine aircraft was conducting a patrol over a disputed shoal, the Scarborough Shoal, a region claimed by both China and the Philippines.

The Coast Guard condemned the incident, stating that the Chinese military’s reckless behavior posed a grave threat to the safety of both the pilots and the passengers onboard the Philippine aircraft. The aircraft in question was part of a maritime domain awareness mission, aimed at monitoring activities in the region.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese helicopter flew as close as three meters to the Philippine aircraft, which they described as a “clear violation” of international aviation safety protocols. This incident highlights the increasing tensions between the two countries over the South China Sea, a strategically significant body of water with crucial shipping lanes.

Scarborough Shoal, a rocky atoll located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, has been a long-standing source of territorial disputes. This area is rich in fishing resources and is considered vital for the livelihoods of many in the region. The shoal is named after a British ship that ran aground there in the 18th century, and it has since become one of the most heavily contested maritime features in the South China Sea. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a key waterway through which more than US$3 trillion worth of global trade passes each year.

This expansive claim puts China in conflict with several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. In 2016, a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected China’s sweeping territorial claims, but Beijing has refused to accept the ruling, further complicating diplomatic relations in the region. The Philippines, along with other countries in the region, continues to challenge China's assertiveness, especially as military tensions in the South China Sea remain high.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file.