Overview

• Philippines reports Chinese fighter jets fired flares dangerously close to its patrol aircraft near Scarborough Shoal and Subi Reef.
• Incidents have raised fears of potential conflict involving the United States, a military ally of the Philippines.
• China claims the Philippine aircraft trespassed into its airspace, justifying its actions as countermeasures.
• Manila urges Beijing to halt provocations and respect international maritime law.
• The South China Sea remains a hotspot with overlapping claims from multiple nations.