Two Chinese fighter jets were observed “orbiting” a Philippine aircraft participating in patrols with Australia in the South China Sea, as reported by Manila on Sunday. The incident did not result in any negative events, according to the statement.
China’s foreign ministry stated on Monday that it was “unaware of the circumstances,” as the Philippines and Australia conducted a second day of sea and air exercises in the Southeast Asian country’s exclusive economic zone. This took place days after Manila held patrols with the United States.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) asserts nearly all of the South China Sea, which is a route for over $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. Parts of the sea are also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
The Philippines is intensifying its efforts to counter what it describes as the CCP’s “aggressive activities” in the South China Sea, which has also become a flashpoint for Chinese and U.S. tensions around naval operations. The CCP has accused the Philippines of involving “foreign forces” in patrolling the South China Sea and causing problems.
The Philippines’ military publicly confirmed that two Chinese fighter jets were observed orbiting the country’s A-29B Super Tucano near Hubo Reef in the West Philippine Sea. The incident took place in the waters of the South China Sea that falls within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Despite the incident, the Chinese aircraft continued its flight route without further trouble.
Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner stated that the nation was within its rights to conduct joint patrols with allies to uphold the “rule-based international order.” The drills involved two Philippine navy vessels and five surveillance aircraft, as well as Australia’s frigate Toowoomba and P8-A maritime surveillance aircraft.