By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Republic of China alleged on Tuesday, Feb. 14, that it was the Philippines who “intruded” their waters, as they maintained that Ren’ai Reef (Ayungin Shoal) is part of China’s Nansha Island.
Chinese Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) “acted in a professional and restrained way.”
The statement came as the Philippine Coast Guard reported Monday that a CCG vessel directed a military-grade laser against BRP Malapascua on Feb. 6 while it was patrolling and supporting a rotation and resupply mission of the Philippine Navy in Ayungin Shoal.
Wenbin said they are in communication with the Philippines through diplomatic channels.
‘No lawful maritime claims’
Stating the 2016 Hague-based ruling against China’s claim in the West Philippine Sea, the United State (US) State Department affirmed that China “has no lawful maritime claims to Second Thomas Shoal” or the Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price expressed his support for the Philippines following the incident.
“The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of the Coast Guard in the South China Sea, would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” Price said.
China’s claim to the West Philippine Sea, including areas under the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, was declared illegal in July 2016 by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration following a lawsuit filed by Manila in 2013. – gb
