China Accuses Philippines of Illegally Entering Territorial Waters of "Scarborough Shoal" - Jordan News
China has accused Philippine naval vessels of illegally entering the territorial waters of the Scarborough Shoal, according to Chinese state media.
اضافة اعلان A spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army Navy stated that a Philippine frigate entered the territorial waters of Huangyan Island on Sunday without China's permission. In response, the Southern Theater Command deployed its naval forces to track, monitor, warn, and expel the vessel in accordance with the law. The spokesperson condemned the actions of the Philippines, describing them as a serious violation of China's sovereignty and a breach of both Chinese and international law. He urged the Philippines to immediately cease what he called unlawful provocations. The Philippines refers to Huangyan Island as 'Scarborough Shoal,' and both China and the Philippines claim sovereignty over the island and its surrounding reef. As of now, the Philippine government has not issued an official response to the incident, and the Philippine Embassy in Beijing has not commented on requests for clarification from Chinese and Western media. Maritime confrontations between the two nations have recently intensified, involving ship interceptions, water cannon use, and military warnings.
Manila has accused Beijing of violating freedom of navigation and harassing its naval forces and local fishermen, while China maintains that its military actions are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty and preventing foreign interference.
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