Tensions over Scarborough Shoal have increased markedly since the middle of last year, when Beijing and Manila reached an “understanding” over another disputed shoal.

The Philippine coast guard accused the Chinese navy of performing dangerous flight manoeuvres on Tuesday (Feb 18) when it flew close to a government aircraft patrolling a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

A Chinese navy helicopter flew within 10 feet of a Philippine patrol plane on Tuesday in a disputed area of the the South China Sea, as the Filipino pilot warned by radio: “You are flying too close, you are very dangerous.