The PLA Southern Theater Command took action on Thursday by expelling three Philippine aircraft that intruded into the airspace near Nansha Qundao in the South China Sea. According to spokesperson Tian Junli, two C-208 planes and one N-22 aircraft were tracked and warned off for their unauthorized presence.
Tian criticized the Philippines, accusing Manila of repeatedly distorting China’s legitimate maritime rights and launching smear campaigns. A notable incident occurred on February 18, when a Philippine aircraft unlawfully entered Chinese airspace over Huangyan Dao, performing erratic altitude changes and dangerously close maneuvers near a Chinese patrol helicopter. Tian described these actions as \"unprofessional and dangerous.\"
The spokesperson condemned the Philippines for falsely labeling China’s actions as \"dangerous\" and accused Manila of trying to bolster its unlawful claims by twisting facts. \"Such clumsy tactics are destined to fail,\" Tian asserted, assuring that Chinese forces remain vigilant to defend national sovereignty and uphold peace and stability in the region.
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PLA expels Philippine aircraft from China's Nansha Qundao airspace
cgtn.com
