Chinese jet intercepts Philippine plane over Scarborough Shoal

The Philippine government reported that a Chinese jet fighter intercepted a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft with journalists onboard during a patrol over the Scarborough Shoal on 13 August, further straining tensions in the South China Sea.

According to PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela, the fighter came as close as 200 feet to the small Cessna Caravan turboprop, maneuvering around it for about 20 minutes.

Radio warnings from Chinese navy ships below ordering the Philippine aircraft to "leave immediately" were heard from the cockpit.

The incident occurred just days after two Chinese vessels allegedly collided while attempting to block a Philippine supply mission in the same area. 

Neither China's defence ministry nor its embassy in Manila has commented on the incident. 

On the same day, U.S. warships USS Cincinnati and USS Higgins were spotted about 30 nautical miles from the shoal.

China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea under its 'nine-dash line' (despite a 2016 arbitration ruling invalidating the claim) - also referred to as the eleven-dash line by Taiwan - has maintained a strong presence at Scarborough Shoal since seizing it in 2012, deploying coastguard vessels which the PCG calls "maritime militia."

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