MANILA – China warns the Philippines on Tuesday to “not make provocations” after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) removed the floating barriers installed by China at the vicinity near the Scarborough Shoal.
In a press briefing in Beijing, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the Philippines should not stir up trouble.
“We urge the Philippines not to make provocations or seek trouble,” Wang said.
He added that China is unwavering in its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over what the Chinese call Huangyan Island or Bajo de Masinloc to Filipinos.
“China’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Island (also known as Scarborough Shoal) is unwavering,” he said.
The floating barriers removed by the PCG was done after a presidential directive was given, according to Philippine officials.
The PCG reported that the 300-meter long floating barrier was placed along Scarborough on Friday by three Chinese Coast Guard rigid hull inflatable boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat upon the arrival of personnel from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the vicinity.
China then accused the Philippine vessels of “intruding” on their territory hence the installation of said barriers on the adjacent waters of what is calls Huangyan Dao.
According to Wang, “Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and its adjacent waters and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters.”
China claims that on September 22, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel from the Philippines “intruded” into the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao and attempted to enter its lagoon “without China’s permission”.
Wang mentions that the China Coast Guard did what was necessary to “block” and “drive away” the Philippine vessel.
“The steps it took were professional and restrained,” Wang added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released a statement on Monday saying it is ready to take all appropriate measures to protect the country’s sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal after Chinese vessels installed floating barriers to block Filipino fishermen from accessing the area.
According to the DFA, the shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, “is an integral part of the Philippines over which we have sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction according to UNCLOS.”
Although the shoal is claimed by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands ruled in 2016 that no country can claim sovereign rights over Scarborough, saying it is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen.
China refused to recognize the ruling, saying it is within its territory.
