Philippine air threat allegation 'groundless'

BEIJING - The Ministry of National Defense categorically denied on Wednesday that a Chinese fighter plane scared away Filipino fishermen in waters near the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

It was reported earlier this month that an unidentified fighter plane flew several meters above a boatload of Filipino fishermen, scaring them into leaving the fishing area in the waters near China's Nansha Islands, where the Philippines claims sovereignty.

According to The Associated Press, Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin declined to speculate on the aircraft's identity but claimed that Chinese vessels were responsible for most "incursions" near the Nansha Islands.