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The incident occurred on March 2 close to the contested Scarborough Shoal — one of many area’s richest fishing grounds and a flashpoint between the 2 nations — however was solely made public Sunday.
It was the fourth time up to now 12 months {that a} Chinese language coastguard vessel had carried out “shut distance maneuvering” close to the shoal, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mentioned in a press release.
China seized Scarborough from the Philippines in 2012 following a tense standoff.
The Southeast Asian nation continues to patrol the waters across the shoal, which is inside its Unique Financial Zone.
“The conduct of the concerned (China Coast Guard) vessels elevated the danger of collision with 4 of our capital ships,” PCG chief Admiral Artemio Abu mentioned.
Within the March 2 incident, the PCG mentioned the Chinese language vessel got here inside about 19 meters of its patrol boat, which was in “clear violation” of the 1972 Worldwide Laws for Stopping Collisions at Sea.
The PCG has referred the matter to the overseas ministry, which not too long ago summoned China’s ambassador over a separate incident involving a Chinese language navy ship “lingering” within the Philippines’ archipelagic waters.
Abu mentioned his company was beneath authorities orders to take care of patrols close to Scarborough Shoal, the place Filipino fishermen proceed to fish.
There was no fast remark from the Chinese language embassy or the Philippine overseas ministry.
Tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea, which China claims nearly its entirety, have intensified within the closing 12 months of President Rodrigo Duterte’s time period in workplace.
Beijing has ignored a 2016 worldwide tribunal resolution that declared its historic declare over many of the South China Sea to be with out foundation.
Duterte put aside the ruling in change for guarantees of commerce and funding, which critics mentioned haven’t materialized.
However in November he hardened his stance, expressing outrage after Chinese language coastguard ships fired water cannon at Filipino boats.
This newest incident comes on the eve of the biggest-ever warfare video games between the Philippines and the USA.
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