- This topic is empty.
-
The Philippines and Vietnam have expressed concern over a group of Chinese ships gathered near a disputed area of the South China Sea.
A spokesman for Philippine President ทดลองเล่นสล็อต joker Rodrigo Duterte said he had spoken to China’s ambassador about the situation at Whitsun Reef. The reef sits in a disputed area of the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines, China and Vietnam.
Vietnam also criticized the presence of the Chinese ships, saying they had violated the country’s sovereignty.
International concern has grown in recent days as the Philippines described a “swarming and threatening presence” of more than 200 Chinese ships in the area. Philippine officials have said it believes the ships are controlled by a maritime militia.
The Associated Press reported the Philippine military had ordered more navy ships to be deployed to the area to carry out “sovereignty” watches. So far, the ships have ignored Philippine demands to leave the area.
Chinese vessels are seen moored at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea. (Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea
China has said it owns the offshore territory, which sits near the southwest end of the western Philippine province of Palawan. China also said the ships were sheltering from rough seas. It denied the ships were controlled by maritime militias.Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana did not say how close the Philippine navy ships planned to get to the Chinese ships. But a military spokesman said the deployment was meant to protect Philippine naval forces in the area from “harassment.”
The Philippine government says the reef is well within the country’s internationally recognized economic territory permitting the country to be in the area and explore resources.
China claims large parts of the South China Sea. Other claimants include Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan. China says its claims come from historical usage of the waters. Trillions of dollars of trade flow through the waters each year.
Vietnam also claims the reef as its territory. A foreign ministry spokeswoman said Thursday the Chinese ships were in violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty.
“Vietnam requests that China stop this violation and respect Vietnam’s sovereignty,” the spokeswoman told reporters.
Data released by the ship tracking website Marine Traffic said a Vietnamese coastguard ship was seen near the disputed area on Thursday. The foreign ministry spokeswoman said the coastguard was carrying out its duties “as regulated by laws,” including international law.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
