Philippines reports China fired flares at its patrol plane in the contested South China Sea

MANILA Chinese personnel launched three flares from an island toward a Philippine patrol plane conducting routine surveillance in the contested South China Sea on Saturday. The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the incident did not disrupt the mission, and the aircraft continued its monitoring activities.

Authorities have not specified the distance between the flares, reportedly fired from the Chinese-controlled Subi Reef, and the Cessna Grand Caravan operated by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries. Beijing has not issued a statement regarding the event. China claims almost the entire South China Sea and has pledged to defend its territorial assertions.

Chinese forces have previously used flares and aircraft warnings to deter foreign planes from entering areas they consider Chinese airspace in the disputed waters.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft captured video showing three flares launched from the reef toward the plane during its legal overflight, stated the Philippine Coast Guard, which coordinated the flight with the fisheries agency. These patrols are conducted to monitor marine conditions, evaluate fishery resources, and protect the safety and welfare of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, they added.

During the patrol, the Philippine plane observed a Chinese hospital ship, two coast guard vessels, and 29 suspected militia ships near Subi Reef. Subi is among seven mostly submerged reefs China converted into island bases over a decade ago in the Spratly region, now equipped with missile systems and several military-grade airstrips, according to U.S. and Philippine security assessments.

The patrol also flew near six other disputed islands, reefs, and atolls, including the uninhabited Sabina shoal, where a Chinese navy ship was monitored. This vessel repeatedly issued radio warnings to our aircraft while it was operating within Philippine sovereign territory, the Coast Guard said. The mission was completed safely, added Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard.

The United States does not claim territory in the South China Sea but has long conducted patrols in the region and reaffirmed its commitment to defend the Philippines under their mutual defense treaty if Philippine forces face an armed attack. Other nations, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, are also involved in ongoing disputes over the resource-rich waters.

Author: Noah Whitman