Manila has filed a diplomatic protest over incidents within the South China Sea, asserting ‘sovereign rights’ over an space claimed by Beijing
The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest with China and summoned its ambassador over maneuvers by Chinese language maritime police vessels that it says led to collisions with ships of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard within the South China Sea, officers in Manila mentioned on Monday.
The Philippine authorities’s Nationwide Job Pressure mentioned the incidents occurred throughout a rotation mission for personnel stationed on the WW2-era Sierra Madre tank-landing ship on Sunday.
On account of the “harmful blocking manoeuvers of [a] China Coast Guard vessel,” it collided with a Philippine naval resupply boat, the duty pressure mentioned. In a associated incident, a Chinese language coast guard craft allegedly collided with a Philippine one within the Ayungin Shoal space.
“Ayungin Shoal is a part of our unique financial zone and continental shelf, and now we have sovereign rights and jurisdiction over it,” the Philippine overseas affairs spokeswoman Ma. Teresita Daza, mentioned at a press convention.
She added that Chinese language Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian was summoned to the overseas ministry over the incident, however as he’s not at present in Manila, the notice was transferred to his deputy, Zhou Zhiyong.
Beijing has blamed the clashes on Philippine vessels. A Chinese language International Ministry spokesperson claimed they “intruded the waters of Ren’ai Jiao (Chinese language title for Ayungin Shoal)” and “bumped dangerously” with the Chinese language Coast Guard and fishing vessels. He emphasised that Ren’ai Jiao is a part of China’s Nansha Qiongdao Province and is Chinese language territory.
“We as soon as once more urge the Philippines to take significantly China’s grave considerations, honor its promise, cease stirring up hassle and making provocations at sea”, a International Ministry assertion mentioned.
In response to AFP, Beijing has additionally “lodged a criticism” in regards to the incident.
The Philippines and China have an extended historical past of contesting possession of atolls and islands within the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over virtually all the South China Sea – and Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, and Taiwan have additionally challenged Beijing’s claims. Whereas a tribunal in The Hague dominated in favor of the Philippines on the problem in 2016, rejecting China’s claims, Beijing has allegedly ignored the ruling.
In August, whereas escorting ships carrying provides for Filipino army personnel stationed on the ship Sierra Madre on the Ayungin Shoal, a Chinese language coast guard vessel used water cannons whereas maneuvering dangerously near the Philippine ships, the Armed Forces of the Philippines mentioned.
In 1999, Philippine authorities intentionally ran the World Battle II-era US amphibious assault ship Sierra Madre aground on disputed reefs within the South China Sea to observe Chinese language actions within the area. A small contingent of army personnel is continually current on the ship. China has repeatedly demanded that the vessel be eliminated, and has threatened to tow it away.
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