‘Unsafe and irresponsible’: US weighs in on China-Philippines aerial encounter over shoal

The US has denounced China’s actions as “unsafe and irresponsible” following a close stand-off between a PLA helicopter and a Philippine plane over the South China Sea on Tuesday, while pledging to support American allies for a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.

“The United States stands with its ally the Philippines to condemn the unsafe and irresponsible actions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy to interfere with a Philippine maritime air operation in the vicinity of Scarborough Reef,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Reckless Chinese actions such as these are a threat to navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support our allies and partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. We call on China to refrain from coercive actions and settle its disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.”

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Chinese military helicopter and Philippine patrol plane in close encounter over Scarborough Shoal

Chinese military helicopter and Philippine patrol plane in close encounter over Scarborough Shoal

The US statement comes in the wake of a tense stand-off on Tuesday between China and the Philippines above the disputed shoal, which is known in China as Huangyan Island in China and as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines.

A Chinese navy helicopter flew alarmingly close – within 3 metres (10 feet) – of a Philippine patrol plane during a 30-minute encounter.

The PLA’s Southern Theatre Command said it “expelled” the Philippine aircraft – a C-208 utility plane – after naval and air forces “legally tracked, monitored and warned the aircraft to leave”.

“The actions of the Philippines seriously violated China’s sovereignty and relevant international laws and Chinese regulations,” command spokesman Tian Junli said.