Whitsun Reef: Philippines files new diplomatic protest against China

Name: Philippines sounds alarm over 200 Chinese ships in the South China Sea
Uploaded: 2021-04-14T14:10:26.000Z
Duration: 2 min 37 s
Description: Philippines sounds alarm over 200 Chinese ships in the South China Sea

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said Chinese boats ‘really are fishing everything in the water that belongs by law to us’

Manila said 240 Chinese vessels were in its waters as of Sunday, and the Philippine navy will send three more ships to the South China Sea

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Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has ordered the filing of more diplomatic protests against Beijing over Chinese boats in its territorial waters. Photo: Reuters

Reuters

Published: 10:10pm, 14 Apr 2021Updated: 10:38pm, 14 Apr 2021

The Philippines filed fresh diplomatic protests to China on Wednesday after accusing its giant neighbour of undertaking illegal fishing and massing more than 240 boats within its territorial waters.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said that two protests had been lodged, days after Manila summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to press for the withdrawal of its vessels on the disputed Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea and other Philippine maritime zones.

The Philippines last month described the presence of over 200 boats believed to be manned by militias inside its 322km (200 mile) exclusive economic zone as “swarming and threatening”, while the United States, Japan and others have voiced concern about China’s intentions, prompting rebukes by Beijing.

In a Twitter post, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said “they really are fishing everything in the water that belongs by law to us”.

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Philippines sounds alarm over 200 Chinese ships in the South China Sea

A Philippine government task force said the vessels, which are about 60 metres (197ft) in length, can catch a tonne of fish a day. It said 240 were in various areas in Philippine waters as of Sunday, including nine at Whitsun Reef.