PLA expels Philippine aircraft over China’s Huangyan Dao; expert slams Manila’s ‘riskier’ aerial provocations

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Tuesday expelled a Philippine aircraft which illegally intruded into Chinese territorial airspace over Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. A Chinese expert slammed the Philippines' increased provocations from the air, which is riskier and could cause unexpected incidents.

On Tuesday, a Philippine C-208 aircraft illegally intruded into the airspace of China's Huangyan Dao without the permission from the Chinese government, then Manila confused right and wrong and spread false narratives. The PLA Southern Theater Command organized naval and air forces and tracked, monitored, warned and expelled it in accordance with laws and regulations, said Senior Colonel Tian Junli, a spokesperson of the PLA Southern Theater Command, in a statement on the day.

Tian's remarks came after the Philippine coast guard accused the Chinese navy of performing "dangerous" flight maneuvers when a Philippine government fisheries aircraft was conducting what it called a maritime domain awareness flight on Tuesday over Huangyan Dao, Reuters reported. The Philippine coast guard claimed that a PLA Navy helicopter flew as close as three meters to the Philippine aircraft, according to the report.

The Philippine actions are a serious violation of China's sovereignty and relevant provisions of international and Chinese laws, Tian said, stressing that Huangyan Dao has always been China's territory. 

The Philippines' attempt to pursue its illegal sovereignty claims through military provocations and to mislead international perception through propaganda and hype is futile. The theater troops remain on high alert to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea, the spokesperson said.

Ding Duo, director of the Research Center for International and Regional Studies at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the Philippines intentionally ramped up provocation in the air over Huangyan Dao, believing that aerial provocations are of lower cost. Aircraft are also faster than vessels and due to potential higher risks, they could trigger stronger reactions among the Philippines' domestic audience. 

Another aerial provocation that sabotaged peace and stability in the South China Sea was a joint patrol by three Philippine FA-50 aircraft and two US B-1 bombers on February 4, according to an AP report at the time. 

In response to the so-called joint patrol, Senior Colonel Li Jianjian, spokesperson of the air force of the PLA Southern Theater Command, said at the time that on February 4, the air force of the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted a routine patrol in the airspace over Huangyan Dao.

The air force units of the theater command have maintained a high level of alert, resolutely defending national territorial sovereignty as well as maritime rights and interests, Li said, noting that any military activities aimed at disrupting the South China Sea are under control.

Ding said that the Philippines' scheme to make provocations in the air is bound to fail. Whether it is territorial waters or airspace, the PLA will surely adopt corresponding control measures.

Compared with ships, aircraft are faster, and the risk of causing unexpected incidents is also higher. This once again proves that the Philippines is undermining the peace and stability of the South China Sea, Ding noted.