[ad_1] China demanded on Friday that Manila stop infringing on its territorial sovereignty after taking what it described as “control measures” agai
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China demanded on Friday that Manila stop infringing on its territorial sovereignty after taking what it described as “control measures” against Philippine ships at a contested South China Sea outpost.
The Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard of firing water cannon at a boat carrying provisions to Filipino troops on a remote outpost in the disputed territory.
The latest incident near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands comes nearly three weeks after two collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels during a resupply mission.
A handful of Filipino troops are stationed on the crumbling BRP Sierra Madre, which the Philippine Navy grounded on the reef in 1999 to check China’s advance in the waters.
The troops depend on the resupply missions for their survival. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored a 2016 international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
Over the past decade or so, Beijing has deployed vessels to patrol the waters and built artificial islands that it has militarised to reinforce its stance.
“The China Coast Guard followed the Philippine ships in accordance with the law, took control measures, and made temporary special arrangements for the Philippines to transport food and other necessary daily supplies,” China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said.
“The Philippines’ actions infringe on China’s territorial sovereignty, violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and are contrary to its own commitments,” Gan added.
“We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringing actions.”
“The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement actions in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored a 2016 international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
Over the past decade, Beijing has deployed vessels to patrol the waters and built artificial islands that it has militarised to reinforce its stance.
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