MANILA, Philippines: The Philippine government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), summoned Zhou Zhiyong, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese embassy in Manila, to address the incident at the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Tuesday.
The summons were in response to aggressive actions taken by the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia against a Philippine vessel during its rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.
The Philippine government expressed its protest against this interference with routine and lawful activities within its waters. Ayungin Shoal, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, cannot be appropriated for sovereignty claims according to international law.
The Philippines demanded that China immediately leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.
China’s Coast Guard said it had taken “regulatory actions” against Philippine ships in the area, accusing them of entering the waters “illegally.”
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Tensions in the South China Sea have risen over the past year with Manila accusing Beijing of taking dangerous actions against its boats and lodging multiple diplomatic protests.
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