China: Actions in Bajo de Masinloc just a safeguard vs ‘PH infringement’

‘DANGER TO PASSING FISHING BOATS’ A 300-meter stretch of booms is found at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), which the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said was installed by the China Coast Guard in this file photo taken in September 2023. —PHOTO FROM PCG

MANILA, Philippines — China claimed that its actions in Bajo de Masinloc were only made in response to “moves by the Philippines that infringe Chinese sovereignty.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remark in a press briefing on Monday.

This, after she was asked whether reports that China has recently reinstalled a barrier at the mouth of Bajo de Masinloc, which she called Huangyan Dao, were true.

Mao did not categorically state whether they had begun reinstalling “a barrier” in Bajo de Masinloc, but she did accuse the Philippines of infringing their territory.

“Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory. In response to a series of moves by the Philippines in the waters of Huangyan Dao that infringe on China’s sovereignty, China is compelled to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” said Mao.

But China’s sweeping claim over the West Philippine Sea, including Bajo de Masinloc, has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.

In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s assertions before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.  It ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines in 2016. Despite this ruling, Chinese maritime assets continue to swarm and assert aggression in the territory.

China’s recent action in Bajo de Masinloc transpired early February. According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen are allegedly using cyanide to “destroy the fishing grounds in Bajo de Masinloc,” which is located in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

China, on the other hand, said the allegations are “baseless,” further claiming that the Philippines’ “continuous disinformation has led up to nothing but exacerbation of the maritime tensions and destabilization of bilateral relations.”