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China-Philippine tensions flare in skies over Scarborough Shoal waters
- PLA says it ‘dispelled’ a transport plane while Manila says Chinese jets endangered its pilots
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Beijing hit back on Saturday at Manila’s claims that the Chinese military made “dangerous manoeuvres” in the South China Sea, accusing Philippine forces of intrusion.
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The People’s Liberation’s Southern Theatre Command said the Philippine Air Force ignored China’s warnings and “disturbed Chinese military’s normal exercises by intruding” to Scarborough Shoal.
The command said it deployed marine and air personnel to “legally identify, verify, track, monitor, repeatedly warn and dispel” a Philippine Air Force NC-212 light transport plane in the area.
“We warned the Philippines to stop infringing on our legitimate rights and stop provocative actions and distorting facts,” the command said.
It added that the Chinese military was on high alert and would firmly defend its sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea area.
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Chinese floating barrier blocks entrance to Philippine ships at South China Sea flashpoint
Chinese floating barrier blocks entrance to Philippine ships at South China Sea flashpoint
Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, is claimed by both Beijing and Manila and has been effectively controlled by China since an intense stand-off in 2012. It is about 220km (120 nautical miles) west of the main Philippine island Luzon.
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