By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-01-13 11:23:06 | Updated at 2025-01-13 17:06:30
5 hours ago
China has defended its coastguard patrols in the disputed South China Sea, responding to a protest from the Philippines over what it called the Chinese force’s “continued illegal presence and operations”.
“The China Coast Guard conducts its patrols and law-enforcement activities in relevant waters, which is lawful, justified and beyond reproach,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday.
Guo urged Manila to “stop spreading malicious remarks and driving a wedge between China and other countries”.
02:40
Beijing, Manila trade ‘ramming’ claims in latest South China Sea coastguard incident
Beijing, Manila trade ‘ramming’ claims in latest South China Sea coastguard incident
The comments were in response to Manila’s denunciation of the weeklong presence of China’s coastguard in what the Philippines says is its exclusive economic zone and territorial waters.
“China should direct its vessels to desist from conducting illegal actions that violate the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its EEZ,” the National Maritime Council in Manila said on Monday.
The council said that from January 5 Chinese vessels – including one known as a “monster ship” – were detected around the waters of Bajo de Masinloc and about 70-90 nautical miles from the coastline of the province of Zambales.
The council said the Philippine Coast Guard immediately deployed vessels and aircraft when the “illegal” presence was detected.
One of the Chinese vessels involved was the CCG 5901, the world’s largest coastguard vessel and often referred to as a “monster ship”.
