Chinese Drones Enter Vietnamese Airspace Amid Rising Cooperation with Philippines

Chinese drones were detected in Vietnamese airspace after joint Coast Guard exercises between Vietnam and the Philippines. Experts see China's actions as attempts to disrupt regional collaborations. The drones, identified as Wing Loong-10 UAVs, highlighted Beijing's expansionist tactics in the South China Sea.

Chinese drones were detected entering Vietnamese airspace twice recently, reportedly in response to heightened collaboration between Vietnam and the Philippines, according to The Voice of America. These drone interventions occurred within a week of joint Coast Guard training exercises conducted by the two nations.

The first sighting happened on August 2, followed by another on August 7 during a meeting between the Philippine naval commander and his Vietnamese counterpart in Hanoi. Vu Duc Khanh, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, emphasized that China's tactic is often 'divide and rule.' Any regional cooperation could challenge China's status, thereby prompting disruptive actions.

The drones were identified as Wing Loong-10 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) originating from China's Hainan Island. They flew along Vietnam's coastline for about 800 kilometers before turning back to Phan Rang province. Data from Flight Radar 24 confirmed it was the same drone on both missions, as reported by Belgium-based Army Recognition in Nikkei Asia.

No response was obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi or Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On August 9, the coast guards of the Philippines and Vietnam conducted their first joint drills in Manila Bay, South China Sea.

Ha Hoang Hop, president of VietKnow in Hanoi, noted that these drills are a significant step for both countries, which have long disputed China's claims in the South China Sea. The exercises indicate mutual support and a readiness for further cooperation to address regional issues, according to the VOA report.

In a related event, the Philippines recently completed two days of maritime exercises with Australia, Canada, and the United States, reinforcing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Vu Duc Khanh commented that the growing ties between Vietnam and the Philippines are beneficial for regional peace. However, he warned that China might escalate its expansionist tactics. 'Today, it may be drones, but tomorrow, it may be the People's Liberation Army,' he added.

Vietnam had earlier filed a claim for an Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, following a similar move by the Philippines in June. (ANI)