Philippine defence minister Delfin Lorenzana protests over South China Sea ‘encroachment’
- Manila says it has filed a diplomatic complaint over the recent build up of Chinese vessels in the disputed Spratly Islands
- Philippine defence minister uses meeting with US counterpart Patrick Shanahan to express ‘concern’ about the fleet’s activities
The Philippine defence minister has protested against Chinese “encroachment” on the country’s maritime rights after the appearance of a large fleet of vessels in a disputed part of the South China Sea.
Delfin Lorenzana told reporters at a meeting with his US counterpart in Washington on Monday that China’s increased presence in the disputed waterways was “very concerning”.
“They have been building islands from reefs since, I think, 2011 [or] 2012,” Lorenzana said, according to a transcript released by US Department of Defence. “So it concerns us because they are encroaching on our EEZ [exclusive economic zone].”
Thitu island, known as Zhongye in China and Pagasa in the Philippines, is the largest island held by Manila in the waters, which are also claimed by mainland China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
