China says a Philippine aircraft “intruded” into Chinese-controlled airspace over disputed waters in the South China Sea, and warns Manila against “provocative acts.” Beijing accuses a Philippine military aircraft of an airspace violation over the weekend and says such confrontations have occurred regularly in the region. The dispute is part of broader tensions in waters where Beijing asserts extensive claims that other countries contest.
The Philippines disputes China’s account. Philippine officials say a Chinese fighter jet interferes with a routine patrol, including by flying close to the Philippine aircraft. Several outlets report related incidents across different locations, including near Scarborough Shoal and in the Spratly area, with a second confrontation described the day after the first. Channel NewsAsia and others frame the encounter as an exchange of competing claims: China citing an airspace breach, and Manila citing interference during routine operations.
