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dpa
Manila
The Philippines on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” as more Chinese vessels have been sighted in wider areas of the South China Sea, despite the government’s earlier demand for their withdrawal.
A Philippine task force reported that 250 Chinese maritime militia vessels were seen on March 29 in Whitsun Reef and five other islands and reefs.
In a statement, the Philippines expressed “deep concern over the continuing unlawful presence (swarming) of the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM), which did not pull out and have remained in Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef and are now in other areas.” The task force said four Chinese navy ships were also seen at Mischief Reef, which it said is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
The task force said the “build-up and massing formation” was hazardous to navigation and damaging to sea life.
“Neither the Philippines nor the international community will ever accept China’s assertion of its so-called ‘indisputable integrated sovereignty’ over almost all of the South China Sea,” the task force said.
Earlier this month, the Philippines filed a diplomatic complaint against some 220 Chinese vessels sighted on March 7 moored at Whitsun Reef.
China said the vessels were fishing boats seeking refuge during bad weather and not maritime militia.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, while parts are claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan.
In 2016, the Philippines won a ruling at the Permanent Court of Arbitration which rejected China’s expansive claim in the sea lane.
China has refused to honour the ruling.
Manila
The Philippines on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” as more Chinese vessels have been sighted in wider areas of the South China Sea, despite the government’s earlier demand for their withdrawal.
A Philippine task force reported that 250 Chinese maritime militia vessels were seen on March 29 in Whitsun Reef and five other islands and reefs.
In a statement, the Philippines expressed “deep concern over the continuing unlawful presence (swarming) of the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM), which did not pull out and have remained in Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef and are now in other areas.” The task force said four Chinese navy ships were also seen at Mischief Reef, which it said is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
The task force said the “build-up and massing formation” was hazardous to navigation and damaging to sea life.
“Neither the Philippines nor the international community will ever accept China’s assertion of its so-called ‘indisputable integrated sovereignty’ over almost all of the South China Sea,” the task force said.
Earlier this month, the Philippines filed a diplomatic complaint against some 220 Chinese vessels sighted on March 7 moored at Whitsun Reef.
China said the vessels were fishing boats seeking refuge during bad weather and not maritime militia.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, while parts are claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan.
In 2016, the Philippines won a ruling at the Permanent Court of Arbitration which rejected China’s expansive claim in the sea lane.
China has refused to honour the ruling.
