The Philippines summoned China's deputy chief of mission in Manila on Tuesday to protest what it called "aggressive actions" by Chinese naval forces against a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea shoal. Manila's South Chin…  | diplomaticbriefing March 5 | The Philippines summoned China's deputy chief of mission in Manila on Tuesday to protest what it called "aggressive actions" by Chinese naval forces against a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea shoal. Manila's South China Sea task force said Philippine vessels carrying out the routine mission to the Second Thomas Shoal were "harassed (and) blocked" by Chinese maritime militia and coast guard ships on Tuesday. Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannon, shattering the windshield of one of the resupply boats and causing minor injuries to at least four crew members, the task force said. Their "reckless" and "illegal" actions also led to a collision between a Chinese and Philippine ship, with the latter sustaining minor structural damage, Manila's coast guard spokesperson said separately. The Philippine foreign ministry said it had summoned the Chinese diplomat on Tuesday to convey its protest and to demand that Chinese vessels immediately leave the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal, which Manila calls Ayungin. "China's interference with the Philippines' routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable," the ministry said in a statement. "China's actions in Ayungin Shoal infringes upon the Philippines' sovereign rights and jurisdiction." China laid the blame on Manila, saying Philippine ships had illegally intruded into waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal - which it calls Renai Reef - so it had to take control measures. The Chinese action was also condemned by the United States, Philippines' defence treaty ally. "The US stands with the Philippines and proponents of international law in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific," US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said on social media platform X. (https://neuters.de/world/asia-pacific/china-coast-guard-says-it-takes-measures-against-philippine-vessels-second-2024-03-04/) The shoal is home to a small number of Filipino troops stationed on a rusting warship which Manila grounded there in 1999 to reinforce sovereignty claims. | | | |  | You can also reply to this email to leave a comment. | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment