Chinese Flares Threaten Philippine Plane in South China Sea

More drama in the South China Sea, where a Philippine fisheries bureau plane was threatened by flares from a Chinese island base while on patrol, Philippine officials said Saturday. This event marks the latest clash between Beijing and Manila over the crucial trade route. The confrontation occurred on Thursday near Subi Reef when the flares were fired from the island, which China has fortified into a military base.

The United States, Manila's treaty ally, criticized China's use of flares against Philippine aircraft. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson stated, "We call on the PRC to cease provocative and dangerous actions." Such incidents highlight increasing tensions between China and several nations in the Asia-Pacific region, sparking fears over regional peace and security. Beijing has repeatedly accused Philippine aircraft and vessels of encroaching into what it claims as its territory in the South China Sea. This incident follows a similar occurrence on August 19, when a Chinese fighter jet engaged in "irresponsible and dangerous maneuvers" near the Scarborough Shoal, as per a Philippine task force statement. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)