China yesterday defended the actions of a coastguard vessel in the disputed South China Sea after the Philippines accused it of ramming three fishing boats and urged Manila to increase "indoctrination" of its fishermen.
The Philippines said on Wednesday that a Chinese coastguard ship rammed three Philippine fishing boats in the disputed Scarborough Shoal area last week and Manila had protested to Beijing over the incident.
The news drew a stern rebuke from the foreign ministry, which said that last Thursday, many fishing vessels from the Philippines were "illegally lingering" in the waters surrounding the Scarborough Shoal and did not abide by China's management.
"China's coastguard sent a dinghy to drive them away and slightly bumped one of the fishing vessels," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. "We ask that the Philippines strengthen education and indoctrination of its fishermen to prevent such incidents from happening again."
China seized control of the area after a three-month stand-off with the Philippine coastguard in 2012. Beijing lays claim the entire South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits.
Hong said the Chinese ship that was sailing in the waters of the Scarborough Shoal was maintaining "normal order" to safeguard the waters in accordance with the law.
