Coast Guard Confrontation
China’s Coast Guard reported forcing two Philippine government vessels away from the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Thursday, accusing them of entering waters under Beijing’s jurisdiction despite repeated warnings.
Footage shows China Coast Guard ship 3302 sailing close to Philippine vessel MMOV 3012 near the shoal, known in China as Huangyan Dao and in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc.
ScA Chinese officer can be heard warning the Philippine crew to change course:
“Philippine vessel 3012, this is China Coast Guard ship 3302. Your vessel is about to enter the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao, the People’s Republic of China. You are hereby warned to immediately cease your illegal activities.”
China Philippines Claims
The CCG said Philippine vessels MMOV 3012 and MMOV 3018 ignored repeated warnings, prompting Chinese vessels to block them and drive them away. Spokesperson Jiang Lue described the operation as ‘professional, standardised, legitimate and lawful’.
Manila accused the CCG of firing a water cannon at a government fisheries vessel during a humanitarian mission supporting Filipino fishermen, putting personnel at risk.
China and the Philippines both claim sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, which is located in the South China Sea. Manila says its vessels have the right to operate there and has denounced Beijing for attempting to restrict Filipino fishermen’s access to the waters.
Tensions Continue Rising
The confrontation followed a separate clash at Second Thomas Shoal on July 20. The Philippine military accused CCG personnel of repeatedly striking a Filipino sailor on the head with a wooden baton. China said Philippine boats rammed one of its vessels and accused Filipino personnel of attacking its officers with oars and sticks.
CGTN, via Viory.Video
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