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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China justifies installation of barriers off PH waters

China justifies installation of barriers off PH waters

Published Sep 25, 2023 03:31 pm

China has justified its installation of floating barriers in the West Philippine Sea, which blocked Filipino fishermen from their fishing grounds, by saying it did so because a Philippine government vessel entered into the waters without its supposed permission.

Wang Wenbin, spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Beijing took the action after a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) "intruded into the adjacent waters" of Bajo de Masinloc and "attempted to enter its lagoon" without permission from China.

China is claiming the West Philippine Sea, which includes Bajo de Masinloc (locally known as Huangyan Dao)—which falls within the jurisdiction of the Philippines based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling.

"Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and its adjacent waters and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters," Wang said Monday in his regular press briefing. 

Wang said their coast guard "did what was necessary to block and drive away the Philippine vessel," adding that the steps taken "were professional and restrained."

In an earlier statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)  vowed to "take all necessary measures" to protect the Philippine sovereignty and the livelihood of Filipinos.

This came after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and BFAR discovered a floating barrier about 300 meters in length as they patrolled the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc.

PCG on Monday night said it already removed the barrier upon orders from Malacañang and the National Security Council.

Meanwhile, Japan, a neighboring country, said it is closely monitoring "with concern" China's activities in the South China Sea.

Tokyo strongly opposes actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea as issues surrounding the waters are connected to regional peace and stability, the Japanese Embassy in Manila quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno as saying.

The issues, Japan said, also "are a legitimate concern of the international community, including itself.

Related Tags

bajo de masinloc PCG BFAR wang wenbin
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