Philippines summons China envoy over standoff, dares Beijing to seek arbitration
The Philippines summoned China’s envoy on Monday to protest against “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea at the weekend, as Manila’s defense minister dared Beijing to bolster its vast sovereignty claims by taking them to international arbitration.
The Philippines summoned China’s envoy on Monday to protest against “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea at the weekend, as Manila’s defense minister dared Beijing to bolster its vast sovereignty claims by taking them to international arbitration.
The foreign ministry accused China’s coastguard of using water cannon against a civilian boat supplying troops on Saturday at the Second Thomas Shoal, which it said damaged the boat and injured some crew, in the latest in a succession of flare-ups in the past year.
“China’s continued interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is unacceptable,” the Philippine foreign ministry said in a statement, which announced the charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy had been summoned and a diplomatic protest lodged in Beijing.
“It infringes upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” it said, demanding Chinese vessels leave the area.
China’s coastguard said on Saturday it took necessary measures against Philippine vessels that were intruding in its waters.
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