New Zealand called the recent action of China's Navy helicopter against an aircraft of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) over Bajo de Masinloc as "concerning" and poses risks undermining regional stability.
The Embassy of New Zealand in the Philippines made the statement on Friday, Feb. 21, days after Chinese People’s Liberation-Navy Harbin Z-9 helicopter came within three meters of the BFAR aircraft during its conduct of routine overflight.
"Concerning to see footage of close air manoeuvres near Scarborough Shoal earlier this week. Such behaviour poses real risk to safety and lives, and risks undermining regional stability," the New Zealand Embassy said.
The Philippines called China plane's actions as "unprofessional and reckless," saying that the aircraft's "blatantly hazardous action" endangered the safety of the pilots and passengers onboard.
The United States also condemned China's move, labeling it as "unsafe and irresponsible," adding that the "reckless Chinese actions" are a threat to navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.
China, through the Chinese Embassy in Manila, said that the United States' statement was "disregarding the facts and distorting the truth, has unjustly accused China of its lawful maritime rights protection activities while disseminating misleading narratives."
It also added that "any rhetoric or actions that embolden the Philippines to pursue its illegitimate territorial claims through provocations and staged incidents are bound to be in vain."