Philippines concerned over unsafe maneuvers by Chinese aircraft near Australia’s patrol in South China Sea

The Philippines has expressed concern over alleged unsafe maneuvers and the release of flares by a Chinese aircraft against an Australian Air Force plane during a maritime patrol in the South China Sea on February 11.

In its statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged China to avoid interfering with legitimate maritime activities and emphasized that all countries should respect freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace like the South China Sea.

The incident occurred when an Australian plane was reportedly patrolling over disputed waters in the region, prompting a Chinese fighter jet to approach and release flares at close proximity, according to Australia's defense ministry.

Australian authorities confirmed that no injuries were sustained by personnel nor damage caused to the RAAF P-8A during the encounter.

China countered by accusing the Australian aircraft of violating its sovereignty and endangering national security, while asserting that it had entered airspace around China's Xisha Islands without permission.

Both nations have exchanged criticisms over similar incidents in the past, including a May 2023 event where a Chinese fighter jet was accused of intercepting an Australian helicopter and another involving sonar pulses directed at submerged Australian navy divers in Japanese waters.