Philippines, China trade barbs over S.China Sea
The Philippines and China are trading accusations over the presence of Chinese fishing vessels in the Philippine s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.
Manila lodged a protest with Beijing after about 220 vessels were found moored 300 kilometers west of Palawan Island in early March. China argued that the vessels were there to avoid rough weather.
But the Philippine defense department issued a statement on Saturday under the name of defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana, saying that 44 Chinese vessels are still staying there. The statement also said, I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no other reason to stay there. These vessels should be on their way out.
Beijing muscles in on the South China Sea filling it with hundreds of boats lashed together in an act of aggression designed to squeeze out other Asia countries
China have claimed the Chinese vessels off the coast of the Philippines are merely fishing boats sheltering from bad weather
But satellite images show hundreds of ships - believed to be manned by Chinese militia personnel - lined closely together at Whitsun Reef in South China Sea
This is despite Philippines calling on China to withdraw maritime militia vessels
Philippine presidential aide warns of unwanted hostilities in South China Sea
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Last Updated: Apr 05, 2021, 04:20 PM IST
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Synopsis
For weeks Manila has called on Beijing to withdraw the maritime militia vessels, saying their incursion into the Philippines exclusive economic zone is unlawful.
New York Times
In a photo provided by Maxar Technologies, a satellite photo of Whitsun Reef on March 23, 2021. At one point in March, 220 Chinese ships were reported to be anchored around the reef
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The presence of Chinese vessels at a disputed reef off the Philippines could ignite unwanted hostilities , a top aide to President Rodrigo Duterte warned Monday, intensifying a diplomatic spat over the ships.
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The Whitsun Reef belongs to the Spratly archipelago, the territory of which is claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
China intrudes yet again in South China Sea ANI | Updated: Apr 05, 2021 10:28 IST
Hong Kong, April 5 (ANI): Another standoff is brewing in the South China Sea, after swarms of Chinese fishing boats and subversive Chinese militia in disguise arrived and parked themselves in the Union Banks.
The fact is that Union Banks - and Whitsun Reef, where 220 Chinese vessels initially congregated in early March - is well within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. China is making a move from its playbook for additional maritime territory.
Philippine Presidential Aide Warns Of Unwanted Hostilities In South China Sea ibtimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ibtimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.