A Chinese navy helicopter has flown within 10 feet of a Philippine patrol plane in a disputed area of the the South China Sea, highlighting Beijing's use of force in asserting its claims to the strategic waterway. The helicopter was attempting to force the plane out of what China claims is its airspace over the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines. An Associated Press journalist and other invited foreign media on the plane witnessed the tense 30-minute standoff as the Philippine plane pressed on with its low-altitude patrol. China did not comment following Tuesday's incident.
