Chinese fighter jets accused of circling Philippine plane

The Philippines accused two Chinese fighter jets of circling an A-29B light attack aircraft conducting exercises off the coast of Palawan Island.

"Two Chinese fighter jets were spotted continuously circling a Philippine A-29B Super Tucano attack aircraft in the area off the island of Palawan. The Philippine aircraft maintained their flight path as planned and there were no incidents," Philippine military spokesman Xerxes Trinidad said on November 26.

Video from the cockpit of a Philippine fighter jet released by the media showed two planes, apparently J-11 heavy fighters, circling nearby.

Chinese fighter jets accused of circling Philippine plane — Chinese fighter jets circled near Philippine attack aircraft on November 26. Video: *ABS-CBN*

The encounter occurred as Philippine troops conducted joint exercises with Australian warships and surveillance aircraft in the South China Sea. Manila did not say what type of fighter jets Beijing deployed or whether they approached Canberra's forces.

Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jr. said the Chinese fighter jets were near the A-29B for 15 minutes. "This is not unusual and not the first time this has happened. I don't know what message they were trying to send, but it's clear that the Philippine forces were carrying out a legitimate mission in the area," said Gen. Brawner.

China's Foreign Ministry later said it was "unaware" of the incident. "We would like to stress that China will take strong actions if its sovereignty and national interests are threatened," it said.

Philippine A-29B attack aircraft on a training flight in 2020. Photo: Philippine Ministry of Defense — Philippine A-29B attack aircraft on a training flight in 2020. Photo: *Philippine Ministry of Defense*

The US and its Western allies regularly deploy warships and military aircraft to operate in the East Sea to enforce freedom of navigation and protest China's illegal sovereignty claims in this sea area.

In its 2023 China Military Power Report (CMPR) released last week, the Pentagon criticized Beijing for regularly "engaging in unsafe and unprofessional actions aimed at impeding the ability of Washington and other nations to operate wherever international law allows."

South China Sea area. Graphics: CSIS — South China Sea area. Graphics: *CSIS*

US officials say most aerial encounters in the South China Sea have been safe and professional. However, there have been some incidents that have been deemed “unsafe,” most recently when a Chinese J-11 fighter jet flew within 3 meters of a US B-52 strategic bomber on the night of October 24 and then approached and dropped heat traps in front of a Canadian Cyclone helicopter on November 2.

Vu Anh (According to Reuters )

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