Philippines Says China Fired Flares in Airspace ‘Bullying’

The Philippines said Chinese forces fired flares directly at its coast guard aircraft over the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, calling the incident “a clear and deliberate act of bullying.”

The Philippine Coast Guard was conducting routine monitoring over Mischief Reef and Subi Reef on Thursday when Chinese forces fired the flares, according to its spokesman, Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela. The Chinese also issued radio transmissions, claiming “indisputable sovereignty” over the areas, he said.