There was no immediate comment from the Philippine Embassy in Beijing on the Chinese military's statement issued on Friday. China's Southern Theatre Command accused the Philippine side of attempting to "peddle its illegal claims" through provocation and warned that the "clumsy maneuver is doomed to failure."

The incident marks the second confrontation this week between Manila and Beijing over disputed South China Sea islands.

China's military has claimed to have warned and repelled Philippine aircraft in the Spratly Islands region, asserting territorial sovereignty. The Philippines carried out a reconnaissance mission over these disputed areas.

Disputed South China Sea airspace that Beijing claims as its own falls within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone, where the Philippines and other countries enjoy freedom of overflight.