Philippines protests China’s ‘illegal’ acts in disputed South China Sea atoll

MANILA, June 11 (Reuters) – The Philippines has lodged a brand new diplomatic protest towards China’s maritime actions inside Manila’s 200-mile unique financial zone, the overseas ministry mentioned late on Friday.

It was the second diplomatic protest by the ministry this week, including to greater than 300 complaints filed towards Beijing’s “unlawful” actions within the South China Sea. learn extra

China engaged in “unlawful fishing” whereas Chinese language coast guard vessels shadowed Philippine boats on a resupply mission round its shoal, the overseas ministry mentioned in an announcement.

“China has no proper to fish, monitor, or intervene with the Philippines’ professional actions therein,” it added.

The Chinese language embassy in Manila didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

The ministry mentioned the Chinese language actions came about on the Second Thomas Shoal, claimed by each Beijing and Manila and is positioned 105 nautical miles (195 km) off the Philippines’ Palawan province.

In November, the Philippines aborted a provide mission within the atoll after three Chinese language coast guard vessels blocked and used water cannon on resupply boats. learn extra

China claims massive swathes of the South China Sea and continues to claim its presence within the strategic waterway, regardless of an arbitration ruling in 2016 invalidating Beijing’s declare.

The protest underlines the challenges forward for President-elect Ferdinand Marcos, who could have a fragile balancing act in pursuing stronger financial ties with China whereas not showing to capitulate over what the navy sees as Beijing’s illegal provocations at sea.

Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales
Modifying by Shri Navaratnam

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