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PH removal of floating barrier a 'self-amusement' — China

Philippines | National

PH removal of floating barrier a 'self-amusement' — China

By Joseph Pedrajas

China found the Philippines to be only amusing itself when it removed the floating barriers installed by Beijing in the Philippine waters it claims it owns.

Wang Wenbin, spokesman of China’s Foreign Ministry, maintained Beijing’s position as it fights for sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc (locally known as Huangyan Dao), a part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone where it put up barriers to prevent Filipino fishers from entering their grounds.

Wang’s fresh remark came after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said China removed the remnants of the barrier following the Philippines’ initial removal of the said object.

Wang Wenbin — Photo courtesy of China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin

“I would like to reiterate that Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory,” he said in his regular press briefing Wednesday.

“What the Philippines did looks like nothing more than self-amusement,” he added.

Wang said China will continue to safeguard its maritime rights and interests over the said feature after also demanding the Philippines not to make any provocation and stir up trouble.

On Monday, Wang already justified China’s move by saying it did so to prevent a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel from entering the waters off Bajo de Masinloc and its lagoon.

Neighboring country Japan, meanwhile, earlier said it is watching the developments in the waters “with concern.”

It said it is strongly opposed to actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea as issues surrounding the waters are connected to regional peace and stability.

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

Related Tags

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