Tensions in the South China Sea escalated further this week after a Chinese military helicopter flew dangerously close to a Philippine patrol plane near the contested Scarborough Shoal. The incident, witnessed by an Associated Press journalist aboard the Philippine aircraft, is the second such encounter involving Chinese military forces and foreign aircraft within a week. The United States has strongly condemned the maneuver, calling it reckless and a violation of international norms.
On February 18, 2025, a single-engine Cessna Caravan operated by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was conducting routine patrols over Scarborough Shoal, a resource-rich area within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The shoal has been under effective Chinese control since 2012, despite international disputes over its sovereignty.
During the 30-minute encounter, a Chinese military helicopter approached the Philippine aircraft, coming within 10 feet (3 meters). The Philippine pilot immediately warned the Chinese crew, stating, “You are flying too close, you are very dangerous and endangering the lives of our crew and passengers.” The situation underscored the growing concerns over Beijing’s aggressive enforcement of its territorial claims in the region.
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command later issued a statement asserting that its forces had “expelled” the Philippine aircraft, claiming it had violated Chinese airspace. This assertion was strongly refuted by the Philippines and its allies, including the United States.
The United States, a key defense ally of the Philippines, was quick to condemn China’s aggressive maneuver. US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson took to social media, calling the incident “dangerous” and urging Beijing to resolve disputes peacefully through diplomatic channels and in accordance with international law.
This latest provocation comes just days after a similar incident between an Australian military reconnaissance aircraft and Chinese fighter jets over the South China Sea. Australia reported that the Chinese aircraft fired flares within 100 feet (30 meters) of its P-8 jet, an act that could have led to catastrophic consequences had the flares been ingested into the aircraft’s engines.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles expressed deep concerns over the incident, warning that such actions put military personnel at great risk. Meanwhile, US Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel Paparo reiterated that China’s aggressive military activities extend beyond the South China Sea, pointing out Beijing’s ongoing maneuvers around Taiwan.
China has long claimed nearly the entire South China Sea, including territories disputed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan. Over the past several years, Beijing has consistently expanded its military presence in the region, constructing artificial islands, deploying naval patrols, and increasing air force operations.
Security analysts suggest that China’s recent behavior follows a deliberate strategy of gradual escalation. According to Ray Powell, director of Stanford University’s SeaLight maritime transparency project, Beijing is using these aggressive encounters to normalize its claims.
“Beijing is following a familiar pattern of gradual escalation,” Powell stated. “Its goal is to normalize its aggressions at ever-greater levels, so that over time they become accepted as the normal cost of operating in contested areas.”
This approach appears to be intensifying while global attention is focused elsewhere, particularly on the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. Some analysts believe China is taking advantage of shifting geopolitical priorities to assert its dominance in the South China Sea.
The latest incidents in the South China Sea also mirror China’s increasing military activities around Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province. Admiral Paparo warned that China’s aggressive maneuvers around Taiwan are not just routine drills but could be preparatory steps for a military takeover.
“The aggressive maneuvers around Taiwan right now are not exercises as they call them. They are rehearsals rehearsals for the forced unification of Taiwan to the mainland,” Paparo cautioned.
With China showing no signs of backing down, the international community faces mounting concerns over Beijing’s growing military assertiveness. The United States and its allies have reiterated their commitment to upholding international law and ensuring that freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea remains protected.
The latest aerial encounters highlight the fragile security situation in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes continue to fuel tensions. The United States’ strong condemnation of China’s aggressive maneuvers signals continued support for its regional allies, including the Philippines and Australia. However, with Beijing pushing the limits of international tolerance, the risk of a more serious military confrontation in the region remains high. The world will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks.
