Manila has issued a terse statement against manoeuvres carried out by a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Harbin Z-9 helicopter, which was said to have executed

The United States condemned the "dangerous" manoeuvres of a Chinese navy helicopter that endangered the safety of a Philippine government aircraft patrolling a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, its ambassador to Manila said on Wednesday.

Disputed South China Sea airspace that Beijing claims as its own falls within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone, where the Philippines and other countries enjoy freedom of overflight.

Manila's coast guard said the Chinese navy helicopter performed dangerous flight maneuvers when it flew close to a government aircraft conducting surveillance over the Scarborough Shoal

Manila says it will lodge a diplomatic protest after a Chinese helicopter came within 3 metres of a Philippine plane.

The incident marks the second confrontation this week between Manila and Beijing over disputed South China Sea islands.

Ambassador Jose Romualdez, who has had meetings with Trump’s diplomatic, defense and congressional officials, said the U.S. would likely maintain its support to help modernize the Philippine military, which is at the forefront of deterring China’s growing assertiveness in the disputed waters.

Philippines’ Marcos has requested a meeting with U.S. leader Trump about bilateral alliance, Manila’s ambassador to Washington said.

France, Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand—following Washington’s lead—have each staged war games or concluded alliances with Manila targeting China.

China's activity in the contested South China Sea is "hindering" Filipino companies from exploring natural resources in the region, Philippines Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said during a talk at Chatham House in London on Tuesday.

China has accused the Philippines of polluting the environment after it released footage it said showed troops burning rubbish at a disputed reef in the South China Sea. The video, published on social media by state broadcaster CGTN on Saturday,

The incident marks the second confrontation this week between Manila and Beijing over disputed South China Sea islands.