Model-flagged
South China Sea
U.S.–China Military
Military Diplomacy
Chinese defense ministry slams Dutch warship helicopter's intrusion into airspace over Xisha Qundao, urges it to stop provocations
Global Times — Defense
28 May 2026
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A shipborne helicopter from the Dutch Navy frigate De Ruyter conducted multiple flights over China's Xisha Qundao (Paracel Islands), prompting the PLA Southern Theater Command to deploy maritime and air forces to expel it; MND spokesperson Jiang Bin and Southern Theater Command Senior Captain Zhai Shichen both lodged formal protests and warned the Netherlands to restrain its forces. The dual-level response — Theater Command followed by MND — documents the institutional choreography Beijing uses to escalate diplomatic pressure after a foreign military intrusion near the Paracels, a pattern distinct from South China Sea incidents involving the Philippines, where coast guard friction dominates. What remains unknown is the specific PLA platforms and procedures used to 'expel' the helicopter.
A Dutch Navy frigate operating in the Paracel Islands (Xisha Qundao) airspace is a notable European freedom of navigation action in the South China Sea, prompting both MND and Southern Theater Command responses and a formal diplomatic representation—an operational event exceeding routine SCS reporting.
A shipborne helicopter from the Dutch Navy frigate De Ruyter illegally intruded into the airspace over China's Xisha Qundao, seriously violating China's sovereignty and undermining China's security interests, and the Chinese military organized maritime and aerial forces to take effective measures to dispel the helicopter out of the area and has lodged solemn representations with the Dutch side, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND), said on Thursday.
"The Xisha Qundao is China's inherent territory. The Chinese military remains on high alert and resolutely defends national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the Dutch side to stop its infringements, risky and provocative acts, and strictly restrain frontline sea and air forces to avoid any unexpected incidents at sea or in the air," said Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.
The response followed on Wednesday a spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command also expressed firm opposition to the intrusion.
According to the WeChat account of the Command, Senior Captain Zhai Shichen said that a Dutch Navy frigate, De Ruyter, illegally trespassed into China's Xisha Qundao in the South China Sea and conducted multiple shipborne helicopter operations violating China's territorial airspace.
The PLA Southern Theater Command organized maritime and air forces to take necessary measures in accordance with laws and regulations to expel and drive away the trespassing vessel, according to Zhai.
Troops of the PLA Southern Theater Command remain on high alert and are resolute in their duty to safeguard national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability, Zhai added.
Global Times
Original text
A shipborne helicopter from the Dutch Navy frigate De Ruyter illegally intruded into the airspace over China's Xisha Qundao, seriously violating China's sovereignty and undermining China's security interests, and the Chinese military organized maritime and aerial forces to take effective measures to dispel the helicopter out of the area and has lodged solemn representations with the Dutch side, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND), said on Thursday."The Xisha Qundao is China's inherent territory. The Chinese military remains on high alert and resolutely defends national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the Dutch side to stop its infringements, risky and provocative acts, and strictly restrain frontline sea and air forces to avoid any unexpected incidents at sea or in the air," said Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.The response followed on Wednesday a spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command alsoexpressed firm oppositionto the intrusion.According to the WeChat account of the Command, Senior Captain Zhai Shichen said that a Dutch Navy frigate, De Ruyter, illegally trespassed into China's Xisha Qundao in the South China Sea and conducted multiple shipborne helicopter operations violating China's territorial airspace.The PLA Southern Theater Command organized maritime and air forces to take necessary measures in accordance with laws and regulations to expel and drive away the trespassing vessel, according to Zhai.Troops of the PLA Southern Theater Command remain on high alert and are resolute in their duty to safeguard national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability, Zhai added.Global Times
