ISTANBUL

Beijing on Monday warned that military drills cause maritime security issues after a US Navy jet and a helicopter crashed in two separate incidents into the South China Sea a day earlier.

"The US is flexing its muscles by sending military aircraft into the South China Sea frequently, and this serves as a root cause for sabotaging regional peace and stability and maritime security issues," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing.

A US Navy fighter jet and a helicopter crashed separately into the South China Sea on Sunday, according to the US Navy's Pacific Fleet.

"If the United States have any request, then China will provide necessary assistance out of humanitarianism," Guo said.

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 "Battle Cats," crashed at around 2.45 p.m. local time while conducting routine operations, the US Pacific Fleet said in a statement on US social media company X.

All three crew members were rescued, the fleet added.

Following the incident, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron 22 also crashed during routine operations, it added.

Its two crew members ejected safely and were rescued by search and rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11.

“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition. The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation,” the statement added.

“On the South China Sea, it is regrettable that incidents continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea which endanger the lives of Philippine personnel and compromise the safety of our vessels and aircraft,” the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Sunday at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, according to the Presidential Communication Office.

The South China Sea is the common home for China and ASEAN countries, and “the peace and stability across the South China Sea” must be jointly safeguarded, said Guo Monday, regarding the remarks.

“The provocative actions of the Philippines is the root causes for tensions,” Guo also said regarding the Filipino president's remarks.   

🚨 US Navy jet and helicopter crash separately during routine operations in the South China Sea

All crew members are rescued safely as the Navy launches an investigation into both incidents https://t.co/9F75XOJURr pic.twitter.com/IjqJZi0ei2

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 27, 2025