In a sharp escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has accused China of “dangerously” firing flares near its aircraft during recent patrols in disputed waters.
Manila alleges that the Chinese military engaged in “harassment” on multiple occasions over the past week, with one incident involving flares being deployed just 15 meters from a Filipino plane.
The latest confrontation occurred on August 19, when a Chinese fighter jet reportedly carried out “irresponsible and dangerous maneuvers” as a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Cessna aircraft was flying near Scarborough Shoal. According to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, the unprovoked Chinese “harassment” included “deploying flares multiple times at a dangerously close distance” from the BFAR Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.
The task force released video clips to accompany its statement, providing evidence of the incident.
Some ancient 🇵🇭 BFAR Cessna intercepted by a naval J-11BSH from 26th AB – Huangyan island
Probably the last land based unit of navy pic.twitter.com/l9DpV9sHmq
— Húrin (@Hurin92) August 24, 2024
A similar incident was reported on August 22 near the China-held Subi Reef, where flares were launched close to the same Filipino aircraft. The plane was reportedly conducting operations to monitor and intercept poachers within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and territorial seas.
“These actions by China demonstrated hazardous intent that jeopardized the safety of the personnel onboard,” the task force’s statement said. Flares, typically used by military aircraft as decoys to protect against missile attacks or for illumination, were deployed in what the Philippines described as a reckless and provocative manner.
In response, U.S. Ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, voiced strong support for the Philippines, condemning the actions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). “The United States stands firmly with the Philippines in condemning the PRC for launching flares at Philippine aircraft operating legally near Scarborough and Subi Reefs,” Carlson said in a post on social media platform X. The U.S. and the Philippines jointly called on China to “cease provocative and dangerous actions that undermine a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.”
China’s foreign ministry responded on Friday, acknowledging that two Philippine military aircraft had entered its airspace over Subi Reef on August 22. China claimed it took “necessary countermeasures in accordance with the law” to protect its sovereignty and security but did not specify the actions taken. Notably, the Chinese statement did not address the earlier August 19 incident near Scarborough Shoal, which has been a flashpoint between the two nations since China seized control of it following a 2012 standoff.
This latest clash follows a series of confrontations in the region. Just hours before the Scarborough incident, Philippine and Chinese coast guard vessels collided near Sabina Shoal, causing structural damage to both Filipino patrol ships. Sabina Shoal, located 140 kilometers west of the Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200 kilometers from the nearest Chinese landmass, remains a contested area within the South China Sea.
Manila has repeatedly accused Beijing of aggressive actions in the region, including a “dangerous maneuver” and flare deployment near Scarborough Shoal on August 10. Earlier this year, the Philippine military reported that one of its sailors lost a thumb during a confrontation with the Chinese coast guard near Second Thomas Shoal. The Chinese forces reportedly wielded sticks, knives, and an axe during the incident, confiscating or destroying Philippine equipment.
Despite an international tribunal ruling that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis, Beijing has continued to assert its dominance in the region. In response to the recent confrontations, the Philippines has urged China to “immediately cease all provocative and dangerous actions that threaten the safety of Philippine vessels and aircraft.” Manila’s statement emphasized that such actions “undermine regional peace and security, and further erode the image of the PRC with the international community.”
The situation remains tense as both nations navigate the complexities of territorial disputes in one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways.