The Philippines protests China’s deployment of a ‘huge ship’ in the maritime zone | South China Sea News
A spokesman for the Philippines’ National Security Council said Manila was surprised by China’s ‘increasing aggression’ in the maritime dispute.
The Philippines said China’s deployment of its largest coast guard vessel inside Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is shocking and clearly aimed at intimidating fishermen working near the lake in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
The spokesman for the National Security Council of the Philippines, Jonathan Malaya, said on Tuesday that Manila has filed a protest over the presence of the 165-meter (541ft) long Chinese patrol vessel 5901, which was spotted 77 nautical miles (142km) off the coast of Zambales province. demanded its withdrawal from the EEZ.
“We are surprised by the increase in violence shown by the People’s Republic of China when a large ship is sent,” said Malaya.
“It is provocative and provocative,” he said, calling the ship’s presence “unacceptable” and “unacceptable”.
The Philippine Coastguard said it has dispatched two of its largest vessels to chase away the Chinese vessel.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun, said on Monday that the “coast guard’s” patrolling and enforcement activities are “reasonable, legal and beyond reproach” in the area.
The National Maritime Council of the Philippines also condemned on Monday the “unlawful presence and operation” of “Chinese navy and military” in the country’s territorial waters and EEZ, identifying two coast guard vessels and a Chinese helicopter, which was “overflying”. Philippine patrol ship.
“The increasing actions of these Chinese ships and aircraft do not disregard Philippine and international laws,” the council said in a statement.
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— President’s Office of Marine Concern (@POMC57) January 13, 2025
Tensions between the Philippines and Beijing have increased significantly over the past two years over excessive claims in the South China Sea.
In 2016, an international court ruled that China’s claims of contested waterways were groundless, a decision Beijing rejected.
China’s expansive claims correspond to the EEZs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The South China Sea is a strategic shipping lane through which about three billion dollars of annual trade flows.