Manila’s largest and most significant outpost in the South China Sea, an area of water primarily claimed by Beijing and where several nations have competing territorial claims, is Thitu in the Spratly island chain.
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As territorial tensions in the region rise, the Philippines reported on Saturday that it had seen a Chinese military ship and dozens of militia vessels circling a disputed island that it claims to be Philippine territory.
The Chinese naval ship and a coast guard ship were seen “slowly loitering” in the nearby waters, according to the Philippine Coast Guard, which reported the sighting of 42 vessels thought to be crewed by Chinese maritime militia members.
Why it matters?
The largest piece of territory under Philippine control, Pag-asa Island, is home to more than 400 civilians, including 70 children.
The majority of them rely on fishing for a living.
It serves as the location of the Municipality of Kalayaan’s municipal government in Palawan.
Additionally stationed on the island was a contingent of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The rising animosity on the island over the past few months had caused concern among the locals in the past.
China’s “ongoing unauthorized presence” in Pag-asa Island, according to the PCG, is “clearly inconsistent with the right of innocent transit and a flagrant violation of the Philippines’ territorial integrity.”
Recent updates
A request for comment regarding the claim was not quickly answered by the Chinese embassy in Manila.
Manila’s largest and most significant outpost in the South China Sea, an area of water primarily claimed by Beijing and where several nations have competing territorial claims, is Thitu in the Spratly island chain.
In response to Southeast Asia’s protests of China’s “aggressive activities” in the sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared two weeks ago that the Philippines “will not lose an inch” of land.
Thitu, also referred to as Pag-asa locally is located about 480 km (300 miles) west of the western Filipino province of Palawan. The island, which is inhabited by over 400 people, including members of the armed forces and law enforcement, is used by Manila to uphold its claim to the area.
According to experts, China’s fishing fleet and coast guard are essential to its strategic goals in the South China Sea. By maintaining a constant presence, China makes it more difficult for other coastal states to engage in offshore energy and fishing.
The coast guard issued a statement saying, “Their continued unauthorized presence is obviously inconsistent with the right of innocent passage and a flagrant violation of the Philippines’ territorial integrity.
Marcos summoned the Chinese envoy last month to express his displeasure with the severity and regularity of China’s actions in the South China Sea.
A “military-grade laser” was allegedly fired at a Philippine coast guard ship on a supply assignment on February 6 by a Chinese coast guard ship, according to one of the 77 complaints the Philippines has made regarding China’s maritime activities.
While Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam all have rival claims for some or all of the Spratly Islands, China asserts sovereignty over them.
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