Philippines Says Seriously Concerned With Chinese Ships’ Actions In South China Sea

The Philippines said it’s “seriously concerned” with the “dangerous maneuvers” of Chinese vessels this week and called out Beijing for its “unlawful interference” with a routine humanitarian operation.

“As we continue to maintain our presence in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines will unstintingly assert and protect its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in accordance with international law,” Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday, using its term for areas in the South China Sea that are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Two Chinese vessels collided on Monday after one of them chased a Philippine Coast Guard ship in the South China Sea, the latest encounter between the two nations with competing claims in the resource-rich waterway.