Chinese vessels remain on Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea, ignoring Philippine government protests. PCG Photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has fired off two diplomatic protests over the continuing presence of some 160 Chinese ships in the country’s exclusive economic zone.
The new diplomatic notes in protest of China’s lingering presence in the country’s water were filed on April 21, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday in a statement.
“The presence of these vessels blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” the DFA said.
As of April 20, the DFA said there were 160 Chinese fishing vessels and maritime militia vessels in Philippine waters.
“The vessels were observed within the territorial sea of high tide features in the Kalayaan Island Group, in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and in and around the territorial waters of Bajo de Masinloc,” the DFA said.
The DFA also said five Chinese Coast Guard vessels were also seen in the Pag-asa Islands, Bajo de Masinloc, and Ayungin Shoal.
“The continued swarming and threatening presence of the Chinese vessels creates an atmosphere of instability and is a blatant disregard of the commitments by China to promote peace and stability in the region,” it said.
The Philippines has begun filing daily diplomatic protests over the continuing presence of the Chinese ships at the Julian Felipe Reef.
It has also summoned the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian over the lingering presence of China in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.