The United States condemned the "dangerous" manoeuvres of a Chinese navy helicopter that endangered the safety of a Philippine government aircraft patrolling a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, its ambassador to Manila said on Wednesday.

The United States has criticized a Chinese navy helicopter's dangerous actions near a Philippine aircraft patrolling the Scarborough Shoal. This incident has heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over disputed territories in the South China Sea.

A Chinese military helicopter flew within 10 feet (3 meters) of a Philippine patrol plane over the South China Sea on Tuesday, in what observers said was the second incident of potentially catastrophic behavior by the People’s Liberation Army against foreign aircraft in a week.