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The Star
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
China opposes Philippines, US, Australia joint patrol in South China Sea; but Philippines criticise a "high-risk" manoeuvre by Chinese vessel near disputed area
In this photo provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office (PAO), Philippine Marines participate in amphibious landing exercise as part of a joint US-Philippines military exercises called Balikatan or "shoulder to shoulder", Sunday May 4, 2025 in Balabac, Palawan province, Philippines. -- Armed Forces of the Philippines PAO via AP BEIJING, May 8 (Reuters): China's foreign ministry on Thursday expressed opposition against a recent joint sea and air patrol by the Philippines, the United States and Australia in the South China Sea. China is committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular press conference while urging relevant countries to stop forming groups and stirring up trouble in the region. The Philippines, meanwhile, criticised on Thursday a "high-risk" manoeuvre by a Chinese vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in a rare incident involving warships from the two navies. The Scarborough Shoal -- a triangular chain of reefs and rocks in the contested South China Sea -- has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. Monday's encounter took place "approximately 11.8 nautical miles southeast" of the Scarborough Shoal, the military said, during ongoing US-Philippine military exercises that Beijing has slammed as destabilising. "The Chinese frigate BN 554 was documented tailing PS35 (BRP Emilio Jacinto) at close range, while BN 573 dangerously crossed its bow in a high-risk maneuver that created the danger of collision," the military said in a statement, labelling the incident "threatening and provocative". China in response accused Manila of sending a ship to "intrude" into its territorial waters. Its military said it had sent "naval and air forces to track, monitor, warn and drive away the Philippine boat in accordance with laws and regulations". "The relevant remarks of the Philippines side disregarded the facts, confused the public, and attempted to mislead international cognition," said Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson of the Chinese military's Southern Theater Command. Philippines Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told AFP the last such encounter between warships from the two navies he could remember was on a resupply mission in the South China Sea two years ago. Alexander Lopez of Manila's National Maritime Council said the Chinese vessel had been "dangerously close" to its Philippine counterpart. The ship crossing the bow of the BRP Emilio Jacinto had come within about 180 metres (590 feet), he told AFP, leaving "no room for any manoeuvre, for any emergency cases". The Chinese vessel following alongside had been less than 100 metres away, he said. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims in nearly its entirety despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit. A Filipino sailor lost a thumb last June when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal. The joint US-Philippine exercises known as Balikatan, which this year were to simulate a "full-scale battle scenario", are set to end Friday.
South China Morning Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
South China Sea: PLA blocks Philippine warship in move Manila calls ‘reckless'
China's military said it had 'effectively stopped' a Philippine Navy ship from entering waters near a disputed South China Sea shoal – an encounter Manila described as 'reckless' and 'dangerous'. Advertisement In a Thursday statement, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command, which oversees the South China Sea , said the Philippine warship BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) had attempted to intrude into Chinese territorial waters near Scarborough Shoal – known as Huangyan Island in China – on Monday. Naval and air forces were dispatched to monitor, warn, and expel the ship, according to the statement. 'The scene was handled with strict adherence to law and regulations, in a professional and standardised manner,' said Senior Colonel Tian Junli, the command's spokesman. He said the PLA had 'forcefully and effectively stopped the incursion'. Tian also accused Manila of 'distorting facts and misleading international perception'. 'Scarborough Shoal is China's inherent territory,' Tian added. 'We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop infringing and provocative acts, and to cease hyping and distorting the facts.' Advertisement Manila also addressed the incident in a statement on Thursday. The Armed Forces of the Philippines accused China of 'harassment' and 'dangerous manoeuvres', stating the incident occurred just 11.8 nautical miles (22km or 14 miles) southeast of the shoal.
Asharq Al-Awsat
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Philippines, China Trade Accusations on South China Sea Confrontation
The Philippines and China gave conflicting versions on Thursday of a maritime confrontation around a contested shoal in the South China Sea, the latest incident in a longstanding dispute between the neighbors. A Philippine Navy patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal encountered "aggressive and unsafe" movements by two Chinese Navy vessels earlier this week, the Philippine military said. China's military, meanwhile, accused the Philippine frigate of "attempting to invade" the waters around the feature and said that it had organized naval and air forces to track and expel the vessel, in a statement released by its Southern Theatre Command. The Scarborough Shoal, named for a British ship grounded on the atoll nearly three centuries ago, is one of Asia's most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for diplomatic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights. "Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstanding that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability," the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement. China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including areas claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. "(Scarborough Shoal) is China's inherent territory. We urge the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement, provocation and distorted speculation," Tian Junli, a spokesman for China's Southern Theatre said. "Theater troops are on high alert at all times, resolutely defending national sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and resolutely maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea region," Tian added.
Free Malaysia Today
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Manila, Beijing trade accusations on South China Sea confrontation
China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea. (Reuters pic) MANILA : Manila and Beijing gave conflicting versions today of a maritime confrontation around a contested shoal in the South China Sea, the latest incident in a longstanding dispute between the neighbours. A Philippine navy patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal encountered 'aggressive and unsafe' movements by two Chinese navy vessels earlier this week, the Philippine military said. China's military, meanwhile, accused the Philippine frigate of 'attempting to invade' the waters around the feature and said that it had organised naval and air forces to track and expel the vessel, in a statement released by its southern theatre command. The Scarborough Shoal, named for a British ship grounded on the atoll nearly three centuries ago, is one of Asia's most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for diplomatic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights. 'Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstanding that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability,' the armed forces of the Philippines said in a statement. China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including areas claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. '(Scarborough Shoal) is China's inherent territory. We urge the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement, provocation and distorted speculation,' Tian Junli, a spokesman for China's southern theatre said. 'Theatre troops are on high alert at all times, resolutely defending national sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and resolutely maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea region,' Tian added.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Philippines, China trade accusations on South China Sea confrontation
MANILA/BEIJING - The Philippines and China gave conflicting versions on Thursday of a maritime confrontation around a contested shoal in the South China Sea, the latest incident in a longstanding dispute between the neighbours. A Philippine Navy patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal encountered "aggressive and unsafe" movements by two Chinese Navy vessels earlier this week, the Philippine military said. China's military, meanwhile, accused the Philippine frigate of "attempting to invade" the waters around the feature and said that it had organised naval and air forces to track and expel the vessel, in a statement released by its Southern Theatre Command. The Scarborough Shoal, named for a British ship grounded on the atoll nearly three centuries ago, is one of Asia's most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for diplomatic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights."Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstanding that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability," the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement. China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including areas claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. "(Scarborough Shoal) is China's inherent territory. We urge the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement, provocation and distorted speculation," Tian Junli, a spokesman for China's Southern Theatre said. "Theatre troops are on high alert at all times, resolutely defending national sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and resolutely maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea region," Tian added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
