HEADLINES
China maintains claim of PH EEZ; places new floating barrier at Scarborough Shoal
2/27/24, 6:55 AM
China has reasserted its claim of sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal by placing a new floating barrier across the entrance of the area that an arbitrary tribunal declared to be part of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
Reuters reported that one of the images taken by Maxar Technologies last week showed the barrier placed in the entrance of the shoal.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said this move is the country’s response to a series of violations allegedly committed by the Philippines against China’s sovereignty over the area.
“China is compelled to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Mao told a press conference in Beijing.
He insisted that Huangyan Dao or Bajo de Masinloc of the Philippines has “always been China’s territory.”
Earlier, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson disclosed that sattelite images taken on February 15 indicated that floating barriers were placed by the China’s Coast Guard but these were removed when the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources distributed supplies to Filipinos fishing within the area.
Tarriela decried the CCG action as illegal because it adversely affects the right of Filipino fishermen to catch fish in the area. He insisted that China has no right over areas declared by international laws as belonging to the EEZ of the Philippines.