Philippines Condemns China Over Floating Structure In Disputed South China Sea
Philippines protests China’s floating structure in disputed waters.
The Philippines has formally protested against China over the reported deployment of a floating “structure” with personnel at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, raising concerns in Manila that the move could signal efforts to strengthen Beijing’s long-term presence in the contested maritime area. The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines said it had lodged a diplomatic protest after the structure was reportedly spotted by the Philippine military and coast guard.
Officials did not provide further details but expressed concern that the installation could be part of a broader strategy to reinforce control over the uninhabited atoll, which remains a long-standing point of territorial dispute between the two countries. China, however, rejected Manila’s objections and reiterated its claim of “indisputable sovereignty” over Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island in Chinese references, along with the surrounding waters.
Beijing did not directly address the specifics of the Philippine complaint or provide additional details regarding the reported floating structure. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian defended Beijing’s actions, stating that activities in the area, including scientific research, fall under the legitimate rights of a sovereign state. He also urged the Philippines to halt what he described as maritime “infringements and provocations” and to stop escalating the issue diplomatically.
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The Scarborough Shoal has been a major flashpoint in the South China Sea dispute since 2012, when China deployed vessels to maintain a constant presence in the area following a tense maritime standoff with Philippine ships. The incident significantly escalated tensions and led Manila to pursue international arbitration against Beijing.
In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines under the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), invalidating China’s sweeping claims over much of the South China Sea. Despite the ruling, China has continued to assert its territorial claims and maintain a presence in disputed waters.
The latest diplomatic exchange underscores the continuing volatility in the region, where overlapping territorial claims have repeatedly led to confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels. The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most strategically sensitive waterways, with competing claims involving multiple Southeast Asian nations. Philippine officials have said they will continue to monitor developments at Scarborough Shoal closely and take appropriate diplomatic steps in response to any activities they view as infringing on their territorial and maritime rights.
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