The Chinese military deployed J-16 fighter jets to escort a Philippine military transport plane out of the South China Sea. The Chinese military issued a strong warning, claiming the Philippine aircraft violated China's territorial claims.
In a statement released on October 6, Major General Zhai Shicun, a spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, reported that on October 3, a Philippine C-208 transport plane illegally entered the airspace over Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) without the approval of the Chinese government. He explained that the naval and air forces of the Southern Theater Command tracked and monitored the aircraft, issuing warnings and taking measures to escort it out in accordance with the law.
The C-208, developed by the American company Cessna, is a light transport aircraft used for troop and cargo transport, as well as liaison and reconnaissance missions. Footage released by the Chinese military showed a J-16 fighter jet equipped with live PL-10 air-to-air missiles during the operation to escort the Philippine aircraft. The J-16, based on the Russian SU-30, is a domestically developed aircraft capable of performing various missions, including air-to-air combat and ground and maritime strikes, and is a key component of the Chinese Air Force. The PL-10 is a short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile developed by China.
In previous confrontations with the Philippines, China has deployed JL-10 advanced trainer jets to escort Philippine aircraft out of the area. This time, the deployment of J-16s armed with PL-10 missiles has escalated tensions between China and the Philippines over Huangyan Island.
Chinese military expert Song Zhongping explained that equipping the J-16 with live ammunition is a standard operational deployment for Chinese fighter jets. He emphasized that if foreign military aircraft continue to provoke threats to China's sovereignty and the security of its airspace and territorial waters, Chinese fighter jets will utilize all necessary means to defend their sovereignty.
In contrast, the Philippine media outlet Philippine Star reported that the maneuvering of the Chinese J-16 around the C-208 created a situation that the Philippine military classified as a 'serious aviation safety risk.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.