China contradicts Philippines’ claims on vessels' passage in disputed waters

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Thursday contradicted the Philippines’ claims that Beijing “blocked” the passage of its two vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

“Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels intruded into the waters off the Ren’ai Reef without Chinese permission on June 30,” said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry.

Beijing was responding to claims made by Filipino Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesman for PCG, that two Chinese vessels engaged in risky maneuvers in order to prevent two PCG ships from accessing Ayungin Shoal for a mission in the West Philippine Sea on June 30.

“Ren’ai Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands,” said Wang.

Ayungin Shoal is known as Ren’ai Reef in China.

“The Chinese coast guard vessels carried out law enforcement activities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime order,” said Wang, confirming that the PCG and CCG got into an encounter in the disputed waters.

Manila and Beijing have counter-claims in the disputed South China Sea.

“The Chinese operation was professional and within the rules,” said Wang, according to Chinese daily Global Times.

However, Tarriela had said that during the operation, the PCG ship was "constantly followed, harassed, and obstructed by the significantly larger Chinese Coast Guard vessels at a distance of approximately 100 yards."

He said the Philippines Navy was "concerned about the presence of two Chinese Navy ships" on the western island of Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal).

"This is particularly alarming as the Philippine Navy's naval operation is solely humanitarian in nature. Despite this, the Chinese have deployed their warships, raising even greater concerns," he said.

In April, China and the Philippines made conflicting claims about an incident involving vessels from the maritime neighbors.

The PCG had said: "On the morning of April 23, 2023, two Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels intercepted the PCG vessels that were in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal."

However, Beijing claimed Manila’s vessels allegedly intruded into its waters.