South China Sea: Philippines removes Chinese barrier in contested area
South China Sea: Philippines removes Chinese barrier in contested area
The Philippines has successfully removed a floating barrier installed by China to prevent Philippine fishing boats from entering a disputed area in the South China Sea. China claims a vast majority of the South China Sea and took control of the Scarborough Shoal in 2012. The Philippines coast guard stated that the barrier posed a hazard to navigation and violated international law. Japan has called for calm and stressed the significance of regional stability in the South China Sea.
China’s Claims and Regional Tensions
China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea have not only angered the Philippines but also Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. China has backed its claims with activities such as island-building and naval patrols. The United States, while stating that it does not take sides in territorial disputes, has conducted “freedom of navigation” operations near disputed islands. These tensions have stirred concerns about the stability of the region and have implications for fishing and resource exploration in the South China Sea.
Philippines Asserts Fishing Rights
The removal of the Chinese barrier by the Philippines is a move to assert its fishing rights in the contested area. The Philippines coast guard, under the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Junior, took action to remove the 300m barrier, which was hindering the livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk. The Philippines considers the Scarborough Shoal as an integral part of its national territory and has accused China of violating its fishing rights. The removal of the barrier marks a significant development in the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea.
As a final point, tensions in the South China Sea continue to simmer as countries assert their claims and rights in the contested area. The removal of the Chinese barrier by the Philippines highlights the ongoing disputes and the importance of maintaining regional stability in the South China Sea.
