The most recent in a growing string of conflicts over the contested waters, China and the Philippines exchanged complaints over a maritime incident in the South China Sea on Monday.
Meanwhile, the United States announced in a statement that it had completed joint naval exercises in the Philippines ‘ exclusive economic zone ( EEZ ) with its treaty partner, Japan and Canada, in a few hours.
A Spanish supply fleet “deliberately and frighteningly” approached a Chinese fleet, leading to a minor incident after it “illegally intruded” into waters near Second Thomas Shoal, a charge Manila deposed as “deceptive and misleading.”
Manila lashed out at Beijing after a Taiwanese coast guard speech claimed the Philippine travel and replenishment send ignored China’s repeated grave instructions.
According to Xerxes Trinidad, the head of the Philippine armed forces’ public affairs business,” We will not sugarcoat the deceptive and misrepresentative states of the China Coast Guard (CCG),” they would never discuss operational facts of supplies operations.
Trinidad said,” The continued aggressive actions of the CCG are escalating tensions in the region.” The Philippines ‘ military claims that the main problem is with Chinese vessels’ continued illegal presence and activities within the country’s exclusive economic zone ( EEZ ).
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than$ 3 trillion of annual ship- borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
Since the incident was not a coast guard operation, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said the agency was unable to provide any further information about Monday’s incident.
Separately, the U. S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement it had concluded a two- day joint maritime exercise with the militaries of Canada, Japan, and the Philippines within Manila’s 200- mile EEZ in the South China Sea.
China and the Philippines have been arguing for months over risky maneuvers and collisions at the Second Thomas Shoal, an island in the Philippines ‘ EEZ.
When the Philippines conducts resupply missions for its soldiers stationed on an aging warship in the EEZ, there have been a number of incidents.
China has issued new rules enforcing a 2021 law that allows its coastguard to use lethal force against foreign ships in waters it claims and has warned the Philippines about entering its territorial waters.
The new regulations allow the Chinese coastguard to detain suspected trespassers without the need for a 60-day trial.
The Philippine Coast Guard responded by ordering the deployment of two vessels to patrol and ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, which is located about 640 kilometers from Second Thomas Shoal, separately on Monday.
