Published November 10,2023
Subscribe
China and the Philippines on Friday once more engaged in a maritime tussle when Philippine ships have been crusing to ship provides to its personnel on disputed islets.
Manila alleged that Beijing’s Coast Guard “recklessly harassed, blocked, executed dangerous maneuvers” as Philippine ships tried to ship provides to its warship BRP Sierra Madre grounded in 1999 on Ayungin Shoal-a submerged reef often called Ren’ai Jiao in China.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea mentioned the Chinese Coast Guard launched water cannons and tried to “illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply” of Filipino troops on the outpost.
However, China’s Coast Guard disputed Manila’s claims.
“Two small Philippine transport ships and three Philippine Coast Guard ships illegally entered the waters adjacent to Ren’ai Jiao in China’s Nansha Islands on Friday without China’s permission,” mentioned the Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu.
Gan mentioned the coast guard “implemented control measures, making special temporary arrangements for the transportation of necessary supplies such as food by the Philippine side.”
Manila lodged diplomatic protest with Beijing because it mentioned the Chinese Coast Guard “unsuccessfully” tried to drive the Philippine ships to vary their course to the warship.
Source: www.anews.com.tr