Philippine Aircraft Expelled from Airspace over Huangyan Dao, China Says

Dragon Media News Desk

The PLA Southern Theater Command said it expelled a Philippine C-208 aircraft that entered the airspace over Huangyan Dao without approval from the Chinese government. Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, a spokesperson for the command, gave details of the incident, which occurred on Saturday.

Zhai said the command deployed naval and air forces to monitor the aircraft and issued warnings before expelling it in accordance with laws and regulations.

Zhai said Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China’s territory and that the Philippine actions seriously violated China’s sovereignty and could lead to unintended incidents at sea or in the air.

He warned the Philippines to immediately stop rights-violating and provocative actions. Zhai said Southern Theater Command forces remain on high alert to safeguard China’s sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability.