The Chinese coast guard ships approached two larger vessels, which manoeuvred to avoid a collision, and a navy helicopter flew low over two smaller boats deployed by the ship
China Coast Guard officers during a marine scientific survey. Pic/PTI
Chinese coast guard ships and a Chinese navy helicopter harassed a group of Philippine fisheries vessels conducting a scientific survey in a hotly disputed area of the South China Sea, forcing them to cancel the operation, the Philippine coast guard said on Saturday.
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The incident took place near Sandy Cay, three small uninhabited sandbars flanked by an artificial island base of Chinese forces and a Philippines-occupied island in the Spratlys archipelago, the coast guard said.
The Chinese coast guard ships approached two larger vessels, which manoeuvred to avoid a collision, and a navy helicopter flew low over two smaller boats deployed by the ship.
Videos released by the Philippine coast guard show a Chinese coast guard ship sailing very close to a vessel officials identified as belonging to the Philippines. Another video shows a Chinese military helicopter hovering low over the rough seas near the vessel.
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