China says Philippine plane ‘intruded’ airspace over disputed waters

The weekend saw China accusing the Philippines of violating its airspace over disputed waters in the South China Sea. This followed a clash between a Chinese Coast Guard ship and a Philippine fisheries department boat in another part of the Spratlys two weeks prior.

Beijing has long claimed sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, despite an international ruling that its claim lacks legal foundation. Frequent confrontations have been reported between the two nations.

According to the Chinese military, a Philippine Cessna 208 turboprop intruded into China's territorial airspace around Huangyan Dao, a name Beijing uses for the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The Chinese Southern Theatre Command tracked the aircraft, issued warnings to leave the territory, and monitored it in line with domestic laws and regulations, a military spokesman stated on WeChat.

The Philippines contends that Chinese fighter jets repeatedly approached and maneuvered closely to its aircraft, positioning itself within the Philippine plane's wake. This incident occurred in the Spratly Islands, further south in the South China Sea.

This latest skirmish comes two weeks after the Philippines alleged a similar incident where a Chinese Coast Guard ship rammed one of its fisheries department boats. Beijing has consistently blamed the Philippine vessel for these incidents, asserting full responsibility for each conflict.