The United States has sharply criticized China for its "dangerous" helicopter maneuvers over a disputed island in the South China Sea.
According to Manila, on Tuesday, a Chinese Navy helicopter flew within three meters of a Philippine patrol aircraft in the airspace over the Scarborough Shoal.
Manila and Beijing dispute the territorial ownership of Thitu Island. China claims that the Philippines has illegally occupied the area. Tensions in this region have escalated in recent years, with incidents near Thitu Island occurring more frequently.
MaryKay Carlson, the U.S. ambassador to Manila, reprimanded China on Wednesday.
"We condemn the dangerous maneuvers of the PLA Navy helicopter, which jeopardized the pilots and passengers of the Philippine air mission. We urge China to refrain from such actions and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law," Carlson stated.
Foreign media representatives on board the Philippine aircraft reported that there was a tense standoff for 30 minutes.
"You are flying too close; you are very dangerous and putting our crew and passengers' lives at risk," the Philippine pilot communicated to the Chinese crew via radio.
Using its own name for the shoal (Scarborough), the Chinese military stated that the Philippine aircraft "illegally intruded into the airspace of Chinese Huangyan Island without the permission of the Chinese government."
The incident on Tuesday occurred a week after Australia accused a Chinese pilot of unsafe maneuvers over the South China Sea. Australian authorities reported that a Chinese aircraft fired a signal rocket 30 meters from its P-8 surveillance aircraft.
China has warned the U.S. and its allies not to interfere in ongoing maritime disputes with their neighbors.