Philippines and US Condemn China’s ‘Dangerous Actions’ Following Flare Incidents
The Philippines reported that the Chinese military fired flares at a Philippine patrol aircraft in the South China Sea at an extremely close range.
Over the weekend, the Philippines and the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines jointly called on the Chinese regime to halt its “provocative and dangerous actions” in the South China Sea after another incident involving mid-air flares occurred.
The Japanese ambassador also expressed opposition to actions that escalate tensions and put the crews’ lives in danger.
Tensions between the Philippines and mainland China, ruled by the Communist Party, have escalated due to territorial disputes over islands in the South China Sea, referred to by the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) in the Philippines reported that flares were released near a Philippine aircraft on two separate occasions this week.
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Zamora Reef, also known as Subi Reef and Zhubi Reef, is an atoll in the Spratly Islands. Pag-asa Island is also known as Thitu Island or Zhongye Island.
The NTF-WPS condemned the firing of flares “unjustifiably” when the Philippine aircraft was on a routine patrol with the Philippine Coast Guard to prevent foreign poaching activities.
Additionally, a Chinese fighter jet fired flares at the same aircraft on Aug. 19 near the Scarborough Shoal at a dangerously close distance of approximately 15 meters.
The statement emphasized that the Chinese fighter jet’s actions were hazardous and posed a threat to the personnel on board the BFAR aircraft without any provocation.
The task force reiterated its call for the Chinese regime to halt all provocative and dangerous actions that endanger the safety of Philippine vessels and aircraft engaged in legitimate activities within Philippine territory and Exclusive Economic Zone.
US, Japanese Ambassadors Condemn Escalation
In a statement shared on the X social media platform, U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson stated: “The [United States] stands firmly with the [Philippines] in denouncing the PRC for releasing flares at [Philippine] aircraft legally operating near Scarborough and Subi Reefs on Aug. 19 & 22. Alongside the [Philippines], we urge the PRC to stop provocative and dangerous actions that undermine a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.”
The Chinese regime did not issue a statement in response to the accusations.
Filipino fishermen and activists wear boat costumes to protest against alleged Chinese aggression at the disputed South China Sea as they stage a rally in front of the Chinese consulate ahead of Independence Day in Makati, Philippines, on June 11, 2024. Aaron Favila/AP Photo
The recent incidents followed a series of confrontations between Beijing and Manila this month over the disputed islands.
The Chinese air force claimed that the Philippine aircraft had violated Chinese airspace and defended its actions as “professional, standard, justified, and lawful.”
Subsequently, on Aug. 19, China and the Philippines traded blame after a collision between their coast guard vessels.
The Philippines stated that risky maneuvers by two China Coast Guard vessels led to damage to two Philippine Coast Guard vessels, while the China Coast Guard claimed that a Philippine vessel intentionally collided with a Chinese vessel.
