The mid-air encounter marks another flashpoint between Manila and Beijing in the skies above the South China Sea, where civilian BFAR vessels have faced increasing encounters with Chinese military aircraft.

MANILA: The Philippines said a Chinese Navy helicopter carried out "dangerous flight manoeuvres" near its own aircraft over the South China Sea.

The Philippines said a Chinese Navy helicopter carried out “dangerous flight maneuvers” near its own aircraft over the South China Sea. The Chinese aircraft came as close as three meters to a Philippine fisheries bureau chopper flying around Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday morning, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a post on X.