- Marcos expresses concern about the intensity of China’s actions
- “Acts of aggression” disturbing, disappointing – Ministry
- The Chinese envoy says he discussed how maritime differences could be managed
MANILA, Feb 14 (Portal) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Tuesday summoned the Chinese ambassador to express his “serious concern” about China’s actions in the South China Sea, and the foreign ministry urged Beijing to stop the “aggressive activities” to discontinue his ships.
The Philippine Coast Guard said on Monday a Chinese Coast Guard vessel aimed a “military laser” at one of its vessels supporting a supply mission for troops in the disputed waterway on Feb. 6, temporarily blinding its crew on the bridge.
The incident, which followed Marcos’ state visit to China last month, has fueled longstanding diplomatic tensions between the Philippines and China over the latter’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, which an international tribunal in The Hague invalidated in 2016 .
Marcos expressed concern “at the increasing frequency and intensity of actions by China against the Philippine Coast Guard and our Filipino fishermen,” including the use of “military lasers” against one of Manila’s ships, his office said in a statement.
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“These acts of aggression by China are disturbing and disappointing,” foreign affairs spokeswoman Teresita Daza said in a statement announcing the filing of the diplomatic protest, among the hundreds that Manila has filed against China.
In response, Ambassador Huang Xilian said he spoke with Marcos about how to implement the consensus reached by the two countries on addressing maritime differences during the Philippine leader’s visit to China.
China claims almost all of the South China Sea, and the waters have become one of many flashpoints in the troubled relationship between China and the United States — as well as a source of tension between China and some Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.
The sea is rich in oil, gas and fish. About $3 trillion in shipping trade happens annually.
The United States, which supports the 2016 arbitration ruling, said Monday it stands by the Philippines over the reported use of lasers.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko also expressed serious concerns about “dangerous behavior” towards Philippine ships.
“All states should respect the maritime order based on international law,” Koshikawa said. “We firmly oppose any measure that increases tensions”
The Philippine Coast Guard supported a naval mission to deliver food and supplies to troops on the Second Thomas Shoal, 105 nautical miles (195 km) off the Philippine province of Palawan in the South China Sea.
Known locally as Ayungin, the shoal is home to a small Filipino military contingent aboard a World War II ship that was deliberately stranded on the shoal in 1999 to bolster Manila’s claims to sovereignty in the Spratly Archipelago.
Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema; Edited by Ed Davies and Alsion Williams
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