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China says it expelled Philippine aircraft, vessels near disputed atolls
China said on Friday it had driven away a Philippine aircraft and multiple vessels near disputed atolls in South China Sea, in the latest in a series of confrontations in the strategic waterway in recent years. The Chinese military said it issued strong warnings and โexpelledโ a Philip
China says it expelled Philippine aircraft, vessels near disputed atolls
REUTERS
Published :
Dec 12, 2025 18:29
Updated :
Dec 12, 2025 18:29
An aerial view of a China Coast Guard ship navigating near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, as Philippine Coast Guard aircraft carrying journalists patrols the area, days after two Chinese vessels collided in the area while allegedly trying to block a Philippine supply mission, in the South China Sea, August 13, 2025. Photo : REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/Files
China said on Friday it had driven away a Philippine aircraft and multiple vessels near disputed atolls in South China Sea, in the latest in a series of confrontations in the strategic waterway in recent years.
The Chinese military said it issued strong warnings and โexpelledโ a Philippine aircraft that โinvadedโ airspace above the Scarborough Shoal, without giving a date for the incident.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Unresolved disputes have festered for years over ownership of various islands and features.
In a separate statement, the Chinese Coast Guard said multiple Philippine vessels entered waters near Sabina Shoal to โcause trouble and provoke incidentsโ.
The CCG said it took control measures against the vessels, including verbal warnings and forced expulsion.
The Embassy of the Philippines in Beijing, and the countryโs foreign ministry and maritime council did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that Chinaโs sweeping claims in the region were not supported by international law, a decision that Beijing rejects.
Scarborough Shoal is one of Asiaโs most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for diplomatic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights.
China in September approved the creation of a national nature reserve at the disputed atoll, drawing a strong reaction from Manila.
Sabina Shoal, which China refers to as Xianbin Reef and the Philippines as the Escoda Shoal, lies 150 km (93 miles) west of the Philippine province of Palawan, well within the countryโs exclusive economic zone.
REUTERS
Published :
Dec 12, 2025 18:29
Updated :
Dec 12, 2025 18:29
An aerial view of a China Coast Guard ship navigating near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, as Philippine Coast Guard aircraft carrying journalists patrols the area, days after two Chinese vessels collided in the area while allegedly trying to block a Philippine supply mission, in the South China Sea, August 13, 2025. Photo : REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/Files
China said on Friday it had driven away a Philippine aircraft and multiple vessels near disputed atolls in South China Sea, in the latest in a series of confrontations in the strategic waterway in recent years.
The Chinese military said it issued strong warnings and โexpelledโ a Philippine aircraft that โinvadedโ airspace above the Scarborough Shoal, without giving a date for the incident.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Unresolved disputes have festered for years over ownership of various islands and features.
In a separate statement, the Chinese Coast Guard said multiple Philippine vessels entered waters near Sabina Shoal to โcause trouble and provoke incidentsโ.
The CCG said it took control measures against the vessels, including verbal warnings and forced expulsion.
The Embassy of the Philippines in Beijing, and the countryโs foreign ministry and maritime council did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that Chinaโs sweeping claims in the region were not supported by international law, a decision that Beijing rejects.
Scarborough Shoal is one of Asiaโs most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for diplomatic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights.
China in September approved the creation of a national nature reserve at the disputed atoll, drawing a strong reaction from Manila.
Sabina Shoal, which China refers to as Xianbin Reef and the Philippines as the Escoda Shoal, lies 150 km (93 miles) west of the Philippine province of Palawan, well within the countryโs exclusive economic zone.