The Philippines reported that a ship belonging to the Chinese Coast Guard and a “militia ship” made dangerous maneuvers in the disputed waters of the South China Sea and sprayed “water pressurized” on their navy’s supply ship.
In the statement made by the West Philippine Sea National Task Force (NTF-WPS), it was stated that the “harassment” of Chinese ships took place in the reef called “Ayungin” by the Filipinos and “Rınai” by the Chinese and under the control of their country.
The statement noted that Chinese ships “recklessly harassed, obstructed, and carried out dangerous maneuvers against the regular supply and guard duties of Philippine ships.”
In the statement, it was emphasized that although pressurized water was sprayed on the supply ship from the ship belonging to the Chinese Coast Guard, the ships of the Philippines successfully carried out their mission and said, “We insist that the Chinese ships responsible for these illegal activities leave the area.” The expression was used.
In the statement, it was reported that the Philippine Embassy in Beijing conveyed a note of protest regarding this incident to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In its statement regarding the incident, China claimed that 2 cargo and 3 coast guard ships belonging to the Philippines violated Chinese territorial waters. In the statement, it was stated that Chinese military ships acted within the framework of international maritime law to defend the country’s territorial waters.
The Chinese Coast Guard’s use of pressurized water on a Philippine supply ship approaching the region on August 6 brought the countries into conflict.
The Philippines announced on October 4 that it had managed to deliver supplies to Philippine forces in the region by overcoming the blockade created by Chinese coast guard ships.
South China Sea dispute
The South China Sea has been the subject of sovereignty disputes since the littoral countries gained their independence after World War II.
China claims sovereignty over 80 percent of the South China Sea with the map it first published in 1947. Coastal neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia also claim rights in the region.
Sovereignty disputes over the islets, reefs, rocks and sea dams in the region, especially the Paracel and Spratly Islands, occasionally lead to tensions between countries.
The United States, as well as regional countries, oppose China’s construction of military bases on the disputed islands and its long-term maintenance of civilian ship fleets.
In its decision in 2016 upon the application of the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague ruled that China’s unilateral sovereignty claims in the South China Sea were not legal.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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