China, Philippines’ dispute over grounded warship heats up
China again asked the Philippines to tow away a grounded warship – a World War Two-era vessel now used as a military outpost – from a disputed shoal on Tuesday, after Manila rejected Beijing’s earlier demand.
Tensions have soared between the two neighbours over the South China Sea under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with Manila pivoting back to the United States, which supports the Southeast Asian nation in its maritime disputes with China, Reuters reported.
China’s embassy in Manila criticised Washington for “gathering” its allies to continue “hyping up” the South China Sea issue and the boat incident.
“South China Sea is not a ‘safari park’ for countries outside the region to make mischief and sow discord,” the embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Second Thomas Shoal, which lies within the Philippines exclusive economic zone, is home to a handful of troops living aboard the former warship Sierra Madre. Manila deliberately grounded the vessel in 1999 to reinforce its sovereignty claims.
Manila has repeatedly accused the Chinese coastguard of blocking resupply missions to its troops there, as it did on Aug. 5 when it sprayed a Philippine vessel with a water cannon.
China maintains the Philippines’ occupation of the shoal is illegal.
The Philippine military described the Chinese coastguard’s actions on Saturday as “excessive and offensive”. China said the incident was a “warning” and that it has exercised “rational restraint” at all times. China’s defence ministry on Tuesday urged Manila to stop all “provocative” actions, and vowed to continue taking necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty and maritime rights.