China claims flare deployment over PAF plane justified

China justified its action of deploying flares over a Philippine Air Force plane near Scarborough Shoal, claiming the aircraft intruded into its airspace and violated international law.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that the Philippine military aircraft twice "intruded into the adjacent airspace of Huangyan Dao" on August 7 and 8, which he asserted "gravely infringed upon China's sovereignty."

Lin further claimed that the Chinese military's response was "necessary and lawful," with maneuvers that were "professional and consistent with Chinese laws and international law."

However, President Marcos condemned China's actions as "unjustified, illegal and reckless."

Marcos expressed concern over potential instability in the Philippines' airspace, noting the incident undermined recent agreements to manage tensions in the West Philippine Sea.