The Philippine Coast Guard announced that Chinese forces fired three flares on Saturday at a Philippine aircraft conducting a routine patrol flight in the South China Sea. The statement noted that the incident posed no risk and that the Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft continued its surveillance mission without interruption.
According to officials, the flares were fired from China-controlled Subi Reef. However, it is still unclear how far from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries aircraft the flares detonated. The Beijing administration has not yet made an official statement regarding the incident.
New Tension in Disputed Waters
While the South China Sea is known as one of the critical routes of global trade, Beijing maintains its claims of sovereignty over most of the region. Chinese forces occasionally fire warning flares at foreign aircraft approaching the disputed airspace.
Philippine Coast Guard officials stated that the three flares fired during Saturday’s flight were recorded on video. The statement emphasised that these patrols are “critical for monitoring the marine ecosystem, assessing fishery resources, and ensuring the safety of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.”
Intensified Chinese Presence at Subi Reef
The Philippine patrol team detected a Chinese hospital ship, two China Coast Guard vessels, and 29 suspected militia boats near Subi. Subi is among the seven disputed reefs in the Spratly Islands that Beijing has transformed into island bases. These artificial islands are known to host missile systems and military-grade airstrips.
The patrol aircraft also flew over six disputed areas, including Sabina Shoal. The Coast Guard reported that a Chinese Navy vessel near Sabina repeatedly transmitted “challenge” messages to the Philippine aircraft via radio.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said, “Everything was safe and the mission was completed successfully.”
Regional Tensions Persist
While the United States makes no territorial claims in the region, it has maintained patrol operations in the South China Sea for decades under the principle of freedom of navigation. Washington frequently warns that any potential armed attack against Philippine forces would trigger the mutual defence treaty.
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also parties to the regional disputes. Competing claims over these resource-rich waters, known for their abundant energy and fishing reserves, make the South China Sea one of the most sensitive conflict zones in the Asia-Pacific.
