A Philippine plane warned a Chinese military helicopter over the South China Sea that it was "flying too close," as tension between the U.S. ally and Beijing soars.

The Philippine coast guard on Tuesday accused a Chinese Navy helicopter of flying "dangerously" close to its patrol plane on Tuesday in a disputed area of the South China Sea. The Chinese helicopter flew within 10 feet of the Filipino plane as the pilot reportedly warned the Chinese: "You are flying too close,

Manila has accused Beijing of operating "dangerous" and "reckless" flight maneuvers, after a Chinese Navy helicopter came within ten feet of a Filipino flight.