China Coast Guard Says It Expelled Two Philippine Reconnaissance Planes Over Scarborough Shoal

The unverified claim was issued by the China Coast Guard over the long-disputed South China Sea feature.

Overview

The China Coast Guard announced on October 16 that it tracked, monitored, and drove away two Philippine reconnaissance aircraft it says entered Chinese airspace above Scarborough Shoal.
Officials identified the location as Scarborough Shoal, known in China as Huangyan Island, in the South China Sea.
The statement was reported via Kyodo News from Beijing and relayed by Japanese outlets, with no independent confirmation provided.
The cited coverage did not include a public response from Philippine authorities.
Scarborough Shoal remains a frequent flashpoint in China–Philippines tensions, with overlapping claims and China rejecting a 2016 arbitration ruling that favored Manila.