Philippines Coast Guard Cut Barrier Erected By China, in the Disputed Sea
The Philippines says it has removed a floating barrier installed by China to block Philippine fishing boats entering a contested area in the South China Sea.
Manila says China violated its fishing rights with the 300m (1,000ft) barrier in the Scarborough shoal.
Footage released by the Philippines coast guard appears to show one of its personnel cutting a rope attached to white buoys.
China claims more than 90% of the South China Sea and seized the Shoal in 2012.
The Scarborough Shoal, a prime fishing spot off the Philippines and within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), has been the site of decades of on-off disputes over sovereignty.
China made no direct mention of the barrier on Monday but its foreign ministry said the coastguard had moved on Friday to repel a Philippine vessel ‘intruding’ in what were indisputably Chinese waters.
But on Tuesday, Beijing warned Manila not to ‘stir up trouble’.
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‘China firmly upholds the sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of the Huangyan island,’ said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, adding: ‘We advise the Philippines not to provoke or stir up trouble.’
Japan’s government urged restraint.
The Philippines and China have repeatedly sparred over the shoal but under the previous pro-China administration in Manila, tension had been lowered for several years.
But ties have soured this year, as new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who authorised the cutting of the cordon, seeks to strengthen relations with ally the United States.
Such efforts included giving the U.S. military expanded access to Philippine bases.
Vessels of the two countries have faced off several times this year elsewhere in Philippine EEZ, such as at the Second Thomas Shoal.
There Manila has accused China of dangerous and aggressive acts in blocking resupply missions to a handful of troops stationed on a rusty, grounded warship.
China says that occupation is illegal.
