China has protested the Philippines’ move to anchor a coast guard ship in Sabina Shoal, although it is part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
China's Foreign Ministry claimed in a statement that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) entered into the lagoon of Sabina (known as Xianbin Jiao in China) "without permission."
PCG "has been there for a long time" that seriously infringes on China's sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and threatens peace and stability in the South China Sea, it said.
"China has protested to the Philippines through diplomatic channels and asked the Philippines to stop infringement activities and withdraw the vessel at once."
Sabina is located within the Philippine EEZ, so Manila "has the right to explore and exploit, and the responsibility to conserve and manage, both living and non-living resources," according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China said it is closely monitoring the developments at sea to safeguard its supposed territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold the sanctity of DOC.