China expelled a Philippine plane that “illegally intruded” into the airspace over a contested South China Sea shoal on Thursday, according to the China Coast Guard.
“A C-208 plane illegally invaded the airspace of China’s Huangyan Island on Thursday,” coastguard spokesman Liu Dejun said on Friday, using the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.
“The Chinese coastguard closely monitored, warned and drove the aircraft away according to the law.”
Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, is controlled by Beijing but also claimed by Manila.
It has been a flashpoint between the two countries since last year.
“Huangyan Island is China’s inherent territory, and the actions of the Philippine side severely infringe upon China’s sovereignty and pose high risks of maritime and air incidents,” Liu said.
