Philippines accuses Beijing of ‘dangerously’ firing flares near its aircraft in South China Sea

Manila alleges harassment' in past week, including deploying flares just 15 metres away from its aircraft in latest confrontation on strategic waterway

• South China Sea: a visual guide to the key shoals, reefs and islands

The Philippine government accused China on Saturday of firing flares just metres away from one of its aircraft as it flew patrols over the South China Sea in the past week.

A Chinese fighter jet engaged in irresponsible and dangerous manoeuvres" on 19 August as the plane from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) made a maritime domain awareness flight" near Scarborough Shoal, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said.