Pak Sahafat – At the same time as the Philippines insists on taking the necessary measures to collect Chinese maritime barriers in the disputed waters, Beijing says that these measures are legal and to keep Philippine ships away from the country’s waters.
According to Pak Sahafat International News Agency, the Philippine government claimed today (Monday) that China has placed floating maritime barriers in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año announced in a statement that the country’s navy will take all necessary measures to collect the maritime obstacles placed by China in the disputed waters.
According to “Reuters” news agency, in Anio’s statement, while publishing pictures of the moment China’s sea barriers were placed, it is stated: “We condemn the installation of floating barriers by the Chinese Coast Guard. The imposition of barriers by the People’s Republic of China violates the traditional fishing rights of our fishermen.”
Read more:
Reports on China’s reluctance in expanding CPEC scope ‘misleading’
The Department of Philippine Affairs also said today that these barriers are a violation of international law and that Manila will take all necessary measures to protect the country’s sovereignty and the livelihood of its fishermen.
The Chinese embassy in Manila has yet to respond to requests for comment on the new tensions.
However, the Chinese government defended the installation of floating barriers in disputed waters in the South China Sea by the country’s coast guard, describing such actions as legal.
According to Reuters, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the coast guard had taken necessary measures in accordance with the law to block and divert a Philippine ship in the South China Sea.
Beijing claims 90 percent of the South China Sea is under its control, which includes the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines.