Philippine Coast Guard law enforcement command personnel stand aboard the BRP Bagacay during a farewell ceremony in Manila on May 20, 2024.
Ted Alguib | AFP | Getty Images
China’s coast guard on Monday accused a Philippine ship of “illegally” intruding and colliding with a Philippine vessel in waters near Escoda Shoal, the latest territorial dispute between the two countries.
according to a statement The China Coast Guard said one of the Philippine ships behaved “unprofessionally and dangerously”, ignoring multiple warnings and deliberately colliding with the Chinese ship.
“We warn the Philippines to immediately stop its violations and provocations, otherwise the Philippines will bear all the consequences,” the statement said.
The video posted on the China Coast Guard website appears to show collision.
Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal and Xianbin Reef, is located in the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. This was the site of a standoff between China and the Philippines since aprilthe BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the largest ships of the Philippine Coast Guard at the time, was sent there.
On Friday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Beijing had Warning Philippines “Cease the infringement” and withdraw its vessels from the waters.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Talila Questioning Beijing’s claims On social media, respond postal China’s state-run Global Times newspaper raised questions about Manila’s presence in the waters.
“Based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitration award, the Escoda Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” Tarriera said.
“Our Philippine Coast Guard vessels have the authority to operate within the Escoda Shoal Lagoon when necessary without permission from any other country,” he added.
Talila said the Philippine Coast Guard’s deployment of ships was not to provoke or escalate tensions, but to protect and maintain sovereignty over the waters.
Tensions between China and the Philippines over the Spratly Islands have been escalating for months.
Philippine ships were rammed and sprayed with high-pressure water cannons in the waters around another disputed Second Thomas Shoal. In one example, China seized According to Philippine authorities, a Philippine vessel injured a navy personnel.
Last month, China and the Philippines reached an agreement provisional agreement around the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. However, both sides soon began to Disagree publicly Exceeds the terms of the deal.
The Philippines last week accused China’s air force of dangerous action Flying over nearby Scarborough Shoal.
Beijing’s actions drew condemnation from Philippine allies, including the United States. mutual defense treaty with the country.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo It is said Trying to quell Chinese concerns about the presence of American geniuses missile system The Philippines said it did not pose a threat to China and would not destabilize the region. In July, the United States pledged $500 million in military aid to the country.
The Philippines also expanded military cooperation with Japan.
Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense Zhang Xiaogang Friday saidDefense cooperation between the Philippines, the United States and Japan should not be directed against any third party or undermine regional peace and stability.
The Philippines has lured the wolf into the house and is willing to be its pawn. This is something that other countries in the region despise.
