On Tuesday, the Philippines lodged accusations against China's coast guard, alleging harassment and damage to one of its boats within a disputed section of the South China Sea. The Philippines rejected China's assertion that it had expelled two vessels from the contested shoal. According to the Philippine coast guard, its two vessels remained steadfast at the Scarborough Shoal, a significant focal point in the South China Sea dispute. However, one of the Philippine boats incurred damage due to the deployment of water cannons by two Chinese coast guard ships.
#Philippines #China #SouthChinaSea #Conflict #BRPBagacay #MaritimeDispute #WaterCannonAttack #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #SecurityConcerns
~PR.152~ED.155~GR.121~
#Philippines #China #SouthChinaSea #Conflict #BRPBagacay #MaritimeDispute #WaterCannonAttack #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #SecurityConcerns
~PR.152~ED.155~GR.121~
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NewsTranscript
00:00On Tuesday, the Philippines lodged accusations against China's Coast Guard, alleging harassment
00:11and damage to one of its boats within a disputed section of the South China Sea.
00:16The Philippines rejected China's assertion that it had expelled two vessels from the
00:20contested shore.
00:21According to the Philippine Coast Guard, its two vessels remained steadfast at the Scarborough
00:27Shore, a significant focal point in the South China Sea dispute.
00:31However, one of the Philippine boats incurred damage due to the deployment of water cannons
00:35by two Chinese Coast Guard ships.
00:39This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard
00:44in their harassment of the Philippine vessels, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jai Tariella
00:50said in a statement.
00:52They were not deterred and will persist in carrying out their legitimate operations to
00:56support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety, he added.
01:00The Scarborough Shore, strategically situated and rich in marine resources, holds significance
01:05as a prime fishing ground utilised by multiple nations and lies adjacent to major shipping
01:10routes.
01:11While no country holds sovereignty over this area, it falls within the Exclusive Economic
01:16Zone of the Philippines.
01:18Despite this, China has maintained occupation of the atoll for over a decade, with disputes
01:23frequently arising around its lagoon, known as a shelter for vessels during storms.
01:28Recent years have seen numerous confrontations in these waters.
01:31China's Coast Guard confirmed the expulsion of vessels but offered no further details
01:36regarding the incident.
01:37The Philippine vessel BRP Bagikai reported damage to its railing and canopy, while China
01:43has installed a floating barrier at the entrance of the shore, effectively limiting access
01:47to the area, as stated by Tariella.
01:51Accusations of illegal activities at the shore have been exchanged between the two countries,
01:56prompting the Philippines to summon a Chinese diplomat to address what it perceives as aggressive
02:01manoeuvres.
02:02China often alleges Philippine infringement on its territorial rights.
02:07Despite previous agreements to enhance communication and management of conflicts in the expansive
02:12South China Sea, tensions have escalated, particularly as the Philippines strengthens
02:17diplomatic and military ties with the US.
02:21China's territorial claims in the South China Sea cover almost its entirety, a crucial
02:25route for over $3 trillion in annual maritime trade.
02:29These claims overlap with territories claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia
02:34and Brunei.
02:35In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's expansive claims lacked
02:40legal basis, a decision Beijing has refused to acknowledge.
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