Philippine, Chinese Air Forces Trade Accusations Over Scarborough Shoal

Tensions have intensified over the Scarborough Shoal after the Philippines accused the Chinese military of taking “dangerous and provocative actions” in the air. The Philippine Air Force on Saturday said two Chinese aircraft dropped flares in the path of a Philippine patrol plane on Thursday, endangering the crew. The Chinese Air Force defended its move, saying it was a “professional” and “justified” response to the Philippines’s incursion. On Sunday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded by saying the actions of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) over the disputed territory were “unjustified, illegal, and reckless.” Scarborough Shoal, also known by its Spanish name Bajo de Masinloc and Chinese name Huangyan Island, is an island in the South China Sea between mainland China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, which all claim sovereignty over the island....