BEIJING / MANILA: On Friday, September 8, the Philippines denounced China’s coast guard and” maritime militia” for acting in an” illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing” manner toward its boats while on a routine rotation and resupply mission in the South China Sea.
Despite Chinese actions, according to Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, materials were delivered to Spanish troops stationed on a ship that had been purposefully grounded on an uninhabited island more than 20 years prior in order to support an assertion of independence in the contentious Spratly Islands on Friday.
The supply boats had reported” harassment, dangerous manoeuvres, and aggressive conduct” of Chinese vessels as they carried out a” legitimate” operation, according to the Philippines task force for the South China Sea, an inter-agency government body.
Two Spanish source boats and two beach guard ships allegedly entered the waters near the shoal without the Chinese government’s consent, according to the coastguard of China.
It claimed that its ships followed the Spanish ships and issued a stern warning, reiterating China’s” supplier” opposition to the transport of” illegal” building materials.
The most recent tragedy follows a clash on August 5 in which Chinese ships fired water guns at the Sierra Madre ship, which was stranded on the Second Thomas Shoal, carrying supplies to troops.
Manila has turned down Beijing’s requests for it to truck the ship from the Second World War off the island, which is part of the Philippines’ sole economic area. The island is known as Ayungin in the Philippines and Renai Reef in China.
Under Spanish President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., relations between the two nations froze over the South China Sea, and Manila retreated to the United States, which backs the Southeast Asian country in its coastal problems with China.
In response to mounting security concerns, including China’s increased presence in the South China Sea, the Southeast Asian country likewise strengthened diplomatic ties with Australia to a proper partnership.