Philippines to Protest China's Risky Flight Maneuvers

Tensions have escalated between the Philippines and China after a Chinese military helicopter flew dangerously close, within 10 feet, to a Philippine patrol plane over the South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal. The incident, which occurred during a maritime domain awareness flight by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, was witnessed by journalists onboard and described as the most dangerous encounter to date. The Chinese helicopter's aggressive maneuvers are deemed a violation of international aviation norms and have sparked condemnation from the Philippines, who plan to file a formal diplomatic protest. China, on the other hand, claims the Philippine aircraft illegally intruded into its airspace, defending their actions as necessary to uphold sovereignty. This encounter follows similar incidents involving Chinese forces and foreign military aircraft in the region, highlighting the ongoing territorial disputes and rising geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.