China’s coast guard was not helping build confidence in the South China Sea, the Philippines has complained. It had earlier accused Chinese coast guard of ramming and damaging its vessels in the latest conflict.
Alexander Lopez, a Philippine spokesperson said that they urge China to refrain from aggressive actions and adhere to international law. Lopez is a spokesperson for the country’s maritime council, an inter-ministerial body that formulates policy on the South China Sea.
The latest altercation took place near the Sabina Shoal. This came in when Phillipines conducted a resupply mission to two islands in the Spratly chain that it occupies. Parts of these are also contested by China, Malaysia and Vietnam.
China, on the other hand, has contested Manila’s accusations. It said that they way the Philippine coast guard acted was “”unprofessional and dangerous.”
However, Lopez also expressed concern over the deliberate harassment and infringement by China on the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the South China Sea.
Treaty allies such as the United States and Japan have condemned China’s action. Washington has described China as “dangerous” and “reckless”. Japan, through its Manila embassy, also expressed serious concerns, while calling for peaceful dispute settlement.
China has claimed supremacy over most of the South China Sea. It has deployed a fleet of coast guard vessels, to protect what it claims as its territory. The vessels have been stationed by China for hundreds of kilometres off its coast. As per international law, Beijing’s claim has no basis, as told by an international arbitral tribunal.
To counter China’s resolve, the Philippines has increased coast guard activity in disputed areas of its exclusive economic zone. This includes resupply missions that have angered China, which sees the moves as deliberate provocations.
(With inputs from Reuters)
