The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command took action on Thursday to expel three Philippine aircraft that were found to be illegally entering the airspace near Nansha Qundao in the South China Sea. According to Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the command, the PLA tracked and issued warnings to two C-208 aircraft and one N-22 aircraft belonging to the Philippines.
Tian criticized the recent actions of the Philippines, accusing Manila of repeatedly distorting China's legitimate and lawful maritime rights. He also accused the Philippine authorities of engaging in smear campaigns against China.
Highlighting a separate incident on February 18, Tian noted that a Philippine aircraft unlawfully entered Chinese airspace over Huangyan Dao. The aircraft exhibited erratic behavior by altering its altitude multiple times, descending 920 meters in just 218 seconds, and flying perilously close to a Chinese patrol helicopter. Tian described these maneuvers as \"unprofessional and dangerous.\"
The spokesperson condemned the Philippines for falsely claiming that China's actions were \"dangerous.\" He asserted that Manila was attempting to advance its unlawful claims by distorting the facts.
\"Such clumsy tactics are destined to fail,\" Tian warned, adding that Chinese forces remain on high alert to defend national sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
