BEIJING, Aug 5 (Reuters) – China’s coast guard stated it was monitoring Philippine patrol and fishing vessels which have gathered across the contested Sabina Shoal, citing China’s “indeniable sovereignty” over the Spratly Islands within the South China Sea.
China’s coast guard had been monitoring the vessels since Saturday, spokesperson Gan Yu stated in a press release late on Sunday.
Gan stated patrol boats from the Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Assets Bureau and a number of fishing boats have gathered within the waters close to a Philippine ship which China has stated was “illegally stranded” on the shoal.
The stranded ship “violates” China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and pursuits, and “undermines” peace and stability within the South China Sea, the Chinese language coast guard reiterated.
China refers to Sabina Shoal as Xianbin Reef, whereas the Philippines calls it Escoda Shoal.
(Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Enhancing by Kim Coghill)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024.
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