Featured Article: Chinese Jet Fighters Conduct Dangerous Maneuvers Against Philippine Aircraft Over the West Philippine Sea 

The Philippines and China figured in another encounter over territory in the West Philippine Sea, but this time in the air – barely a month after agreeing to de-escalate tensions in the disputed waters.

Dropping flares and flying close-range

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Saturday, August 10, that two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) jets conducted dangerous maneuvers in the flight path of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) plane as the latter conducted routine patrols over the West Philippine Sea. 

PAF plane NC-212i, a light cargo aircraft, was reportedly conducting overflight activities over Bajo de Masinloc (also Scarborough Shoal) when two PLAAF multi-role fighter jets “executed a dangerous maneuver… and dropped flares in the path” of the Philippine plane. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 8, following announcements from China that it will conduct patrols simultaneously along with the multilateral drills held by Australia, Canada, the United States, and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. 

Anonymous sources speaking to the Associated Press further noted that the Chinese jets flew “at a very close distance” to the Philippine plane. At least eight flares were reportedly released by the two Chinese jets. None of the Filipino personnel were hurt and the plane returned to the Clark Air Base in Zambales province about an hour after.

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