The Philippines has told China to “back down” after the South China Sea clash South China Sea News

The Philippines says the Chinese coastguard blocked and fired two water cannons from its supply vessels within its exclusive economic zone.

Three Chinese coastguard vessels blocked and fired water cannons into two supply vessels in the Philippines in the South China Sea, which is under discussion in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Philippines said.

Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin said the incident took place around Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) on November 16 and that Philippine ships, which were carrying food supplies to the military stationed nearby, had to leave the mission. He was not injured.

“The actions of China’s coastal vessels are illegal,” Locsin said in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on social media. “China has no right to enforce the law in and around these areas. They have to be careful and go back. ”

China claims almost the entire South China Sea based on the so-called “nine lines” ruled by an international tribunal. without merit five years ago. Beijing has ignored the ruling, building artificial islands and expanding its navy, coastguard and fishing fleet to the disputed sea, which the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan also claim.

Locsin accused China of failing to take self-action and said it had conveyed to the Chinese ambassador “outrage, condemnation and protest” over what had happened in Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who wanted to seek a closer relationship with China, has been criticized for not taking a tougher stance on the country’s South China Sea activities. He called for a quick response from the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

“We will continue to claim our sovereignty, sovereign rights and authority over our territory,” presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said in a statement.

Ayungin Shoal is part of the Spratly Islands known as the Kalayaan Islands of the Philippines. It is located within the EEA of the Philippines, extending 370 km (200 nautical miles) from its coast.

Earlier this year, the Philippines denounced the presence of dozens of ships called China’s “naval militia” for weeks. Pentecost reef, Located about 320 kilometers (175 nautical miles) west of the island of Palawan, within its EEZ.

In 2012, China forcibly took control of Scarborough Shoal, located 229 km (124 nautical miles) west of the Philippine island of Luzon.