What is the latest incident escalating tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea?

The Philippine Coast Guard has accused the Chinese Navy of dangerous flight maneuvers near the Scarborough Shoal. According to Philippine officials, a Chinese Navy helicopter flew as close as 3 meters to a Philippine government aircraft conducting a maritime patrol, which they claim violates aviation regulations. The incident occurred in a prime fishing area within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. China's Southern Theater Command countered by claiming the Philippine plane intruded into China's airspace over the Scarborough Shoal, violating Chinese sovereignty. This confrontation highlights the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a vital waterway that facilitates over $3 trillion in annual trade.