A Chinese military helicopter came dangerously close to a Philippine fisheries patrol plane over Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. AP Photo
A Chinese military helicopter flew dangerously close to a Philippine patrol plane over the South China Sea on Tuesday. The helicopter came within just 10 feet (3 meters) of the Philippine aircraft, sparking concerns over rising tensions in the region. This was the second risky encounter involving the Chinese military and foreign aircraft in just a week.
The incident took place near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area about 140 miles (222 kilometers) west of the Philippines’ main island, Luzon. Though the shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, China has controlled it since 2012. The area is known for its rich fishing grounds, making it a hotspot for territorial disputes.
Aboard the Philippine patrol plane, the pilot immediately warned the Chinese helicopter. "You are flying too close, you are very dangerous and endangering the lives of our crew and passengers," he said. The encounter lasted about 30 minutes.
The United States, a key ally of the Philippines, strongly criticized China’s actions. U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson called the maneuver “dangerous” and urged China to settle disputes peacefully under international law.
China’s military responded by claiming the Philippine aircraft had intruded into its airspace. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) stated that its helicopter had "expelled" the Philippine plane to protect Chinese sovereignty.
A Chinese military helicopter flew dangerously close to a Philippine fisheries patrol plane over Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. AP Photo
This incident followed a similar encounter last week when a Chinese fighter jet flew dangerously close to an Australian military reconnaissance plane. Australia reported that Chinese jets released flares within 100 feet (30 meters) of its aircraft. Military analysts warned that if the flares had been sucked into the jet’s engines, the aircraft could have been severely damaged, risking the lives of its crew.
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles condemned China’s actions, calling them a serious threat to their personnel. In response, China claimed it was merely defending its territory over the Paracel Islands, another disputed area in the South China Sea.
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, despite competing claims from the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan. The region has seen frequent confrontations between Chinese forces and those of other countries, including the U.S. and Canada, which say they operate in international airspace.
Experts believe China is taking advantage of global tensions. With the U.S. focused on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Beijing may be increasing its military presence in the South China Sea.
Ray Powell, director of a maritime security project at Stanford University, said China is gradually increasing its assertiveness in contested waters. “Beijing is following a familiar pattern of gradual escalation,” Powell explained. “Its goal is to make its aggressive moves seem normal over time.”
Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, also raised concerns over China’s growing military activity near Taiwan. He warned that China’s maneuvers were not just military exercises but rehearsals for an eventual takeover of Taiwan.
With tensions rising, many fear more aggressive encounters in the region could lead to a serious conflict.
