Overview

• China's military reported intercepting and expelling three Philippine aircraft—a Nomad N-22 and two Cessna 208s—near the Spratly Islands on February 20, alleging unauthorized entry into its airspace.
• The Philippines conducted the flights as part of a maritime domain awareness mission over what it calls the Kalayaan Islands, asserting its sovereignty and jurisdiction in the region.
• The incident follows a separate confrontation earlier this week, where a Chinese military helicopter flew dangerously close to a Philippine patrol plane near Scarborough Shoal, prompting condemnation from Manila and the U.S.
• China continues to reject the 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims over the South China Sea, maintaining control over several disputed territories, including Scarborough Shoal.
• The Philippines is reportedly preparing a new legal case against China over alleged environmental damage in its exclusive economic zone, adding to the ongoing maritime disputes.