Unique-Satellite tv for pc pictures reveal floating barrier at mouth of disputed atoll in South China Sea
By Greg Torode and Karen Lema
HONG KONG/MANILA (Reuters) – Satellite tv for pc pictures of the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal within the South China Sea present a brand new floating barrier throughout its entrance, close to the place Philippine ships and China coast guard vessels have had frequent run-ins.
One of many pictures taken by Maxar Applied sciences on Feb. 22 and seen by Reuters confirmed the barrier blocking the mouth of the shoal, the place the Chinese language coast guard final week claimed to have pushed off a Philippine vessel “illegally intruding” into Beijing’s waters.
The Philippines, which final week deployed a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Sources (BFAR) vessel to patrol the shoal and transport gasoline to Filipino fishermen within the space, mentioned that China’s claims have been “inaccurate” and that Manila’s actions there have been lawful.
China claims the Scarborough Shoal, though it’s contained in the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile unique financial zone. A global arbitration tribunal within the Hague mentioned in 2016 that China’s claims had no authorized foundation – a call Beijing has rejected.
That makes the atoll one in all Asia’s most contested maritime options and a flashpoint for diplomatic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights.
The satellite tv for pc picture bolsters a report and video distributed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday exhibiting two Chinese language coast guard inflatable boats deploying floating boundaries on the shoal’s entrance on Feb 22.
The PCG mentioned {that a} China coast guard ship shadowed the BFAR vessel, “carried out blocking manoeuvres” about 1.3 nautical miles (2.4 km) off the shoal, and intently approached it.
“We are able to assume that (the barrier) is meant for Philippine authorities vessels as a result of they set up it each time they monitor our presence throughout the BDM neighborhood,” Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson on the Philippine Coast Guard mentioned, referring to Bajo de Masinloc, Manila’s identify for the shoal.
Chinese language overseas ministry spokesperson Mao Ning mentioned “Huangyan Dao”, China’s identify for the shoal, was “China’s inherent territory”.
“Not too long ago, the Philippine facet has taken a sequence of actions to violate China’s sovereignty” within the shoal’s waters, she mentioned. “China has to take essential measures to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and pursuits.”
One other satellite tv for pc picture confirmed what Maxar applied sciences described as “attainable Chinese language interception of a BFAR vessel” at Scarborough Shoal.
China claims virtually all the South China Sea, a conduit for greater than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with these of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
“What we’re seeing on the Scarborough Shoal now’s possible the start of Beijing’s pushback in opposition to Manila’s pushback,” mentioned Ian Storey, a senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took workplace in June 2022, the Philippines has challenged China’s presence at Scarborough and its makes an attempt to cease the resupply of Filipino troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, he mentioned.
“China’s makes an attempt to forestall Filipino fishermen from fishing at Scarborough Shoal is completely unlawful,” Storey mentioned. “The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling gave fishermen from each international locations the correct to (fish there). Manila is merely supporting the official rights of Filipino fishermen.”
The shoal is coveted for its bountiful fish shares and a shocking turquoise lagoon that gives a secure haven for vessels throughout storms.
The Chinese language eliminated the barrier just a few hours after the BFAR vessel left, Tarriela mentioned. It was not clear from the photographs how strong the barrier was and whether or not it will have posed an impediment to bigger warships.
In an article on Sunday, state-media outlet World Occasions mentioned “the Philippines has abused and unilaterally sabotaged the inspiration of Beijing’s goodwill to Manila” that allowed Philippine fishermen to function close by, by working in opposition to China’s sovereignty and jurisdiction.
“If such provocations persist, China might be pressured to take simpler measures to manage the state of affairs,” the article mentioned, citing consultants.
(Reporting by Greg Torode in Hong Kong and Karen Lema in Manila; Extra reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Writing by Karen Lema. Enhancing by Gerry Doyle)
