China again asked the Philippines to tow away a grounded warship (a World War Two-era vessel now used as a military outpost) from a disputed shoal after Manila rejected Beijing’s earlier demand.
The Philippines vows to boost patrols after an incident with China’s vessels in the South China Sea.
According to Reuters, tensions have flared between the Philippines and China. Both sides are hardening their resolve over territorial rights to a small shoal in the South China Sea. Manila has vowed to boost patrols in the area after a recent altercation with Beijing’s vessels. It has also rejected a demand to tow away a World War Two-era ship deliberately stranded in the disputed waters more than 20 years ago.
The Second Thomas Shoal, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, is home to a handful of troops living aboard the former warship Sierra Madre. Manila deliberately grounded the vessel in 1999 to reinforce its sovereignty claims.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr emphasized maintaining the territorial sovereignty of his country and said that he will continue to defend his territorial rights anyway.
“We continue to defend our territorial sovereignty, we continue to defend our territorial rights in the face of all these challenges and with international law.”
China’s defence ministry on Tuesday urged Manila to stop all “provocative” actions and vowed to continue taking necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty and maritime rights.
“The South China Sea is not a ‘safari park’ for countries outside the region to make mischief and sow discord,” the embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.
Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the Philippines National Security Council, urged China “not to escalate matters” and put lives at risk.
“We will do whatever is necessary. The Philippines’ policy is clear, we will not lose an inch of our territory.”
Security experts say China’s actions around the atoll point to one thing – Beijing wants to take control of the Second Thomas Shoal.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines.
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