In the most recent of several maritime encounters, Chinese vessels obstructed a Philippine boat that was resupply forces in the South China Sea on Sunday. China and the Philippines then swapped allegations over the collision that occurred in disputed seas of the South China Sea.

Beijing and Manila trade charges over collision in South China Sea

The Philippines on Sunday (Oct 22) slammed a Chinese coastguard vessel of colliding with their resupply boat which was moving towards a tiny garrison in the disputed South China Sea. 
 
In a statement, a government task force said that the "dangerous blocking manoeuvres of China Coast Guard vessel 5203 caused it to collide with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted indigenous resupply boat", which was at a distance of 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Second Thomas Shoal. 
 
Meanwhile, another Philippine coastguard vessel, which was escorting the resupply mission “bumped" into what the task force said was a "Chinese Maritime Militia vessel".

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"The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia done this morning," the task force stated.

<h2>China claims Philippines ships 'lawfully' blocked</h2>

Reacting to the allegations of the Philippines, China's coast guard on Sunday (Oct 22) stated that it "lawfully" blocked Philippine vessels, which they claimed were transporting "illegal construction materials" to a warship in the disputed region of the South China Sea. 
 
In the last few months, China and the Philippines have faced each other numerous times in the South China Sea, especially in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, which is a part of the Spratly Islands. 
 
The Philippines has been providing supplies to troops which are present on a World War Two-era, transport-ship-turned-military outpost on the shoal. Because of this, the China Coast Guard has been repeatedly deploying vessels to block the resupply missions.

Watch |&nbsp;China to have operational nukes by 2030? | World News | WION

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The Philippine military last week had asked China to stop its "dangerous and offensive" actions after a Chinese navy ship appeared and made attempts to cut off a Philippine navy vessel, which was carrying out a resupply mission. 
 
The Philippines has been warned by China against any further "provocations", stating that they have been violating the territorial sovereignty through such acts. 
 
China has made claims of its sovereignty over the entire South China Sea and has a dotted line on its maps which cuts into the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. 
 
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 stated that the claims of China had no legal basis.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Philippines on Sunday (Oct 22) slammed a Chinese coastguard vessel of colliding with their resupply boat which was moving towards a tiny garrison in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippines on Sunday (Oct 22) slammed a Chinese coastguard vessel of colliding with their resupply boat which was moving towards a tiny garrison in the disputed South China Sea. In a statement, a government task force said that the "dangerous blocking manoeuvres of China Coast Guard vessel 5203 caused it to collide with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted indigenous resupply boat", which was at a distance of 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Second Thomas Shoal. Meanwhile, another Philippine coastguard vessel, which was escorting the resupply mission “bumped" into what the task force said was a "Chinese Maritime Militia vessel". ALSO READ | Six Chinese warships were operating in West Asia amid Israel-Hamas tensions "The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia done this morning," the task force stated. China claims Philippines ships 'lawfully' blocked Reacting to the allegations of the Philippines, China's coast guard on Sunday (Oct 22) stated that it "lawfully" blocked Philippine vessels, which they claimed were transporting "illegal construction materials" to a warship in the disputed region of the South China Sea. In the last few months, China and the Philippines have faced each other numerous times in the South China Sea, especially in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, which is a part of the Spratly Islands. The Philippines has been providing supplies to troops which are present on a World War Two-era, transport-ship-turned-military outpost on the shoal. Because of this, the China Coast Guard has been repeatedly deploying vessels to block the resupply missions. Watch | China to have operational nukes by 2030? | World News | WION The Philippine military last week had asked China to stop its "dangerous and offensive" actions after a Chinese navy ship appeared and made attempts to cut off a Philippine navy vessel, which was carrying out a resupply mission. The Philippines has been warned by China against any further "provocations", stating that they have been violating the territorial sovereignty through such acts. China has made claims of its sovereignty over the entire South China Sea and has a dotted line on its maps which cuts into the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 stated that the claims of China had no legal basis. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Philippines says China coastguard vessel collided with resupply boat, Beijing says it 'lawfully' blocked it

Chinese sectists have started building a massive neutrino telescope in the South China Sea, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Wednesday (Oct 18), providing some other details. The telescope is said to be the world's largest "ghost particle" detector, which will be 3,500 metres beneath the surface of the ocean.&nbsp;

The scientists hope that the telescope will help them to the origin of cosmic rays, which will solve the century-old puzzle of the exploration of the extreme universe.&nbsp;

The Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope (Trident), which is named Hailing (Ocean Bell) in Chinese, will be the largest and most advanced in the world when completed in 2030, the project team said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/natures-missing-law-scientists-propose-survival-of-fittest-like-law-for-non-living-things-648397">'Nature's missing law': Scientists propose 'survival of fittest' like law for non-living things</a>

The report stated that the Trident array will be anchored to the seabed 3.5km below the Western Pacific Ocean. The instrument will scan the surrounding seawater for the flashes of light generated when cosmic neutrinos collide with water molecules.&nbsp;

Neutrinos are the most abundant particles that have mass in the universe. It is said that every time atomic nuclei come together or break apart, they produce neutrinos.&nbsp;

As quoted, Xu Donglian of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the project's chief scientist and spokeswoman, said: "Using Earth as a shield, Trident will detect neutrinos penetrating from the opposite side of the planet."&nbsp;

"As Trident is near the equator, it can receive neutrinos coming from all directions with the rotation of the Earth, enabling all-sky observation without any blind spot," Xu further added while speaking at a news conference on Tuesday.&nbsp;

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SCMP report mentioned that about 100 billion ghost particles, called neutrinos, pass through each square centimetre of your body every second.&nbsp;

But still, their nonexistent electrical charge and negligible mass mean they barely interact with other types of matter. &nbsp;

During the press conference, project chair Jing Yipeng said that the telescope will also help to test space-time symmetries. According to him, it will also search for quantum gravity and indirectly search for dark matter.&nbsp;

Xu and her colleagues from some of China’s top universities said in a paper published on Monday by the international journal Nature Astronomy that Trident is taking shape about 540km south of Hong Kong.&nbsp;

Researchers have written in the journal that "with its advanced photon-detection technology and large dimensions, TRIDENT expects to observe the IceCube steady source candidate NGC 1068 with 5σ significance within 1 year of operation."&nbsp;

"This level of sensitivity will open a new arena for diagnosing the origin of cosmic rays and probing fundamental physics over astronomical baselines," it added.&nbsp;

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Chinese sectists have started building a massive neutrino telescope in the South China Sea, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Wednesday (Oct 18), providing some other details.

Chinese sectists have started building a massive neutrino telescope in the South China Sea, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Wednesday (Oct 18), providing some other details. The telescope is said to be the world's largest "ghost particle" detector, which will be 3,500 metres beneath the surface of the ocean. The scientists hope that the telescope will help them to the origin of cosmic rays, which will solve the century-old puzzle of the exploration of the extreme universe. The Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope (Trident), which is named Hailing (Ocean Bell) in Chinese, will be the largest and most advanced in the world when completed in 2030, the project team said. Also read: 'Nature's missing law': Scientists propose 'survival of fittest' like law for non-living things The report stated that the Trident array will be anchored to the seabed 3.5km below the Western Pacific Ocean. The instrument will scan the surrounding seawater for the flashes of light generated when cosmic neutrinos collide with water molecules. Neutrinos are the most abundant particles that have mass in the universe. It is said that every time atomic nuclei come together or break apart, they produce neutrinos. As quoted, Xu Donglian of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the project's chief scientist and spokeswoman, said: "Using Earth as a shield, Trident will detect neutrinos penetrating from the opposite side of the planet." "As Trident is near the equator, it can receive neutrinos coming from all directions with the rotation of the Earth, enabling all-sky observation without any blind spot," Xu further added while speaking at a news conference on Tuesday. Also read: Psyche asteroid mission to blaze an unusual blue trail across the solar system SCMP report mentioned that about 100 billion ghost particles, called neutrinos, pass through each square centimetre of your body every second. But still, their nonexistent electrical charge and negligible mass mean they barely interact with other types of matter. During the press conference, project chair Jing Yipeng said that the telescope will also help to test space-time symmetries. According to him, it will also search for quantum gravity and indirectly search for dark matter. Xu and her colleagues from some of China’s top universities said in a paper published on Monday by the international journal Nature Astronomy that Trident is taking shape about 540km south of Hong Kong. Researchers have written in the journal that "with its advanced photon-detection technology and large dimensions, TRIDENT expects to observe the IceCube steady source candidate NGC 1068 with 5σ significance within 1 year of operation." "This level of sensitivity will open a new arena for diagnosing the origin of cosmic rays and probing fundamental physics over astronomical baselines," it added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China working on world's largest deep sea telescope to explore cosmic rays origin

The Philippines has expressed strong protest against Chinese ships. Watch this report to know more.

Philippines protests China's attempt to block resupply mission

Three Filipino fishermen died after an "unidentified commercial vessel" allegedly struck their fishing boat in the South China Sea, the Philipines Coast Guard said on Wednesday.

Three Filipino fishermen died after an "unidentified commercial vessel" allegedly struck their fishing boat in the South China Sea, the Philipines Coast Guard said on Wednesday. The maritime collision occurred near the Scarborough Shoal on Monday, increasing tensions in the disputed region of the South China Sea, CNN reported. Authorities are yet to confirm the type of vessel that rammed the Philippine craft FFB Dearyn. However, they believe the boat that caused the collision was "foreign." On Tuesday morning, eleven members who survived the crash reached the lands. They carried their dead crew mates to Pangasinan province in northern Kuzon, the nation's largest island. The boat's captain was among the three fishermen who died during the blow. ALSO READ | Iran: 16-year-old slips in coma after alleged assault by morality police over Hijab rules According to a post on X, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Coast Guard is "backtracking and checking all monitored vessels in the area as part of its ongoing investigation." "We assure the victims, their families, and everyone that we will exert every effort to hold accountable those responsible for this unfortunate maritime incident," Marcos added. The South China Sea is a crucial 1.3 million square-mile waterway for international trade. It witnesses an estimated third of global shipping worth trillions of dollars passing through each year, implying that large container ships and oil tankers routinely sail through the region. It encompasses vast fertile fishing grounds, providing a livelihood for fishermen who use smaller vessels. However, bracketed by China and other Southeast Asian nations, it is a maritime flashpoint area. Multiple governments claim several parts of the sea. But Beijing asserts dominance over most parts of the sea, contrary to the international court ruling about the areas. In the last two decades, China has occupied many discreet atolls and reefs far from its shoreline across the South China Sea. They have built several installations, including runways and ports. Scarborough Shoal, sometimes called Bajo de Masinloc, is a small but strategic reef in the Phillippines and Huangyan Island, China. It is a fishing ground 130 miles (200 kilometres) west of Luzon, a source of tension between Manila and Beijing. The collisions between Philippine vessels and small wooden fishing boats against huge Chinese Coast Guard ships have become more frequent in the area. Manila calls these much larger ships "maritime militia" fishing vessels. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Three Filipino fishermen killed in South China Sea after collision with foreign vessel, says Philippines

China issued a warning against the Philippines on Tuesday (September 26) telling the nation not to "stir up trouble" after the Philippine Coast Guard said it removed a floating barrier at a disputed reef.&nbsp;

Manila alleged that the reef was deployed by China to block Filipinos from the traditional fishing ground. It also said that the Philippines was "well within its rights" to remove any barrier at the disputed Scarborough Shoal.&nbsp;

In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said that the Philippines is "well within its rights to remove any barrier in Bajo de Masinloc since it infringes on our maritime rights".&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, referring to the shoal by its Chinese name, said that "China firmly upholds the sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of the Huangyan island. We advise the Philippines not to provoke or stir up trouble."&nbsp;

The recent incident became the latest episode in growing tensions in the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, while several other countries have overlapping claims to parts of it.&nbsp;

China's warning came just a day after the Philippines cut a floating 300-m barrier at the shoal, making use of coastguard personnel posing as fishermen in a small boat.&nbsp;

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Philippine coastguard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela told CNN Philippines: "They might still return the floating barrier once again, they might still do shadowing and dangerous manoeuvres once again."&nbsp;

In the past few weeks, Manila emerged at the centre of a tense territorial standoff with Beijing in the South China Sea and the recent move to remove the barrier, which the Philippines called a "special operation", could further strain ties.&nbsp;

Beijing seized the disputed reef from the Philippines in 2012 and deployed the coast guard and other vessels to patrol the fishing ground.&nbsp;

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<h2>The floating barrier&nbsp;</h2>

Reports have said that the floating barrier prevented fishing boats from entering the shoal's shallow waters where fish are more abundant. In a video posted by the Philippine Coast Guard, a man wearing snorkelling gear was seen cutting the barrier using a knife.&nbsp;

Philippine officials previously accused the Chinese coast guard of installing the barrier before a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship arrived at the shoal last Wednesday.&nbsp;

The reef sits 240 kilometres west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometres from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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China issued a warning against the Philippines on Tuesday (September 26) telling the nation not to "stir up trouble" after the Philippine Coast Guard said it removed a floating barrier at a disputed reef.

China issued a warning against the Philippines on Tuesday (September 26) telling the nation not to "stir up trouble" after the Philippine Coast Guard said it removed a floating barrier at a disputed reef. Manila alleged that the reef was deployed by China to block Filipinos from the traditional fishing ground. It also said that the Philippines was "well within its rights" to remove any barrier at the disputed Scarborough Shoal. In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said that the Philippines is "well within its rights to remove any barrier in Bajo de Masinloc since it infringes on our maritime rights". Also read: Australia's climate-driven disaster costs surge, signalling economic risk Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, referring to the shoal by its Chinese name, said that "China firmly upholds the sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of the Huangyan island. We advise the Philippines not to provoke or stir up trouble." The recent incident became the latest episode in growing tensions in the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, while several other countries have overlapping claims to parts of it. China's warning came just a day after the Philippines cut a floating 300-m barrier at the shoal, making use of coastguard personnel posing as fishermen in a small boat. Also read: Former PBOC adviser cautions: China's property recovery may take a year Philippine coastguard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela told CNN Philippines: "They might still return the floating barrier once again, they might still do shadowing and dangerous manoeuvres once again." In the past few weeks, Manila emerged at the centre of a tense territorial standoff with Beijing in the South China Sea and the recent move to remove the barrier, which the Philippines called a "special operation", could further strain ties. Beijing seized the disputed reef from the Philippines in 2012 and deployed the coast guard and other vessels to patrol the fishing ground. Watch: Russia Black Sea Commander Viktor Sokolov killed in Crimea's Sevastopol × The floating barrier Reports have said that the floating barrier prevented fishing boats from entering the shoal's shallow waters where fish are more abundant. In a video posted by the Philippine Coast Guard, a man wearing snorkelling gear was seen cutting the barrier using a knife. Philippine officials previously accused the Chinese coast guard of installing the barrier before a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship arrived at the shoal last Wednesday. The reef sits 240 kilometres west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometres from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China warns against 'stirring trouble' at disputed shoal, Philippines won't back down

The Philippines on Monday (September 25) said it has executed a “special operation” to remove a “floating barrier” installed by China at a prime fishing patch in an area in the South China Sea claimed as theirs by both countries.&nbsp;

This comes a day after Manila’s coastguard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources “strongly condemned” the move and accused the Chinese coastguard of preventing Filipinos from entering the area and fishing.&nbsp;

<h2>About the ‘special operation’</h2>

The Philippine coastguard said that at the behest of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his special task force on the South China Sea, they have removed the floating cordon.&nbsp;

Manila earlier shared images of the Chinese coast guard policing a long, ball-buoy barrier near the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop some 200 kilometres away from the Philippines.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-to-drag-china-to-international-court-for-damaging-coral-reef-in-eez-638431">&nbsp;South China Sea: Philippines to drag China to international court for damaging coral reefs in EEZ</a>

The site has been at the centre of sporadic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights. “The barrier posed a hazard to navigation, a clear violation of international law. It also hinders the conduct of fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk,” said the Philippine coastguard.

It described the shoal as “an integral part of the Philippine national territory”.&nbsp;

What has China said about the incident?

Earlier on Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry&nbsp;defended the actions of its coast guard as “necessary measures” after a Philippine bureau of fisheries vessel “intruded” into its waters on Friday.

“The Chinese coastguard have taken necessary measures in accordance with the law to intercept and drive away Philippine vessels, and the relevant operations are subject to professional restraint,” said the foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-accuses-china-of-installing-floating-barrier-in-south-china-sea-639147">Philippines accuses China of installing 'floating barrier' in South China Sea</a>

<h2>Debate over the shoal</h2>

The control over the disputed shoal has been a sensitive issue for China after a Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, in 2016, ruled in favour of the Philippines. After Manila took legal action against China’s claim to 90 per cent of the South China Sea which the court said had no basis under international law.&nbsp;

However, China has refused to recognise the landmark ruling.

On Monday, Beijing reiterated its claim and said the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, was “China’s inherent territory,” over which it had indisputable sovereignty.

It is also worth noting that while the tribunal did not rule on sovereignty over the shoal, the site is located within the Philippines’ 322-kilometre exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and has previously said that the area is a traditional fishing site for several countries.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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The Philippines on Monday (September 25) said it has executed a “special operation” to remove a “floating barrier” installed by China at a prime fishing patch in an area in the South China Sea claimed as theirs by both countries.

The Philippines on Monday (September 25) said it has executed a “special operation” to remove a “floating barrier” installed by China at a prime fishing patch in an area in the South China Sea claimed as theirs by both countries. This comes a day after Manila’s coastguard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources “strongly condemned” the move and accused the Chinese coastguard of preventing Filipinos from entering the area and fishing. About the ‘special operation’ The Philippine coastguard said that at the behest of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his special task force on the South China Sea, they have removed the floating cordon. Manila earlier shared images of the Chinese coast guard policing a long, ball-buoy barrier near the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop some 200 kilometres away from the Philippines. ALSO READ | South China Sea: Philippines to drag China to international court for damaging coral reefs in EEZ The site has been at the centre of sporadic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights. “The barrier posed a hazard to navigation, a clear violation of international law. It also hinders the conduct of fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk,” said the Philippine coastguard. It described the shoal as “an integral part of the Philippine national territory”. What has China said about the incident? Earlier on Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry defended the actions of its coast guard as “necessary measures” after a Philippine bureau of fisheries vessel “intruded” into its waters on Friday. “The Chinese coastguard have taken necessary measures in accordance with the law to intercept and drive away Philippine vessels, and the relevant operations are subject to professional restraint,” said the foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. ALSO READ | Philippines accuses China of installing 'floating barrier' in South China Sea Debate over the shoal The control over the disputed shoal has been a sensitive issue for China after a Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, in 2016, ruled in favour of the Philippines. After Manila took legal action against China’s claim to 90 per cent of the South China Sea which the court said had no basis under international law. However, China has refused to recognise the landmark ruling. On Monday, Beijing reiterated its claim and said the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, was “China’s inherent territory,” over which it had indisputable sovereignty. It is also worth noting that while the tribunal did not rule on sovereignty over the shoal, the site is located within the Philippines’ 322-kilometre exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and has previously said that the area is a traditional fishing site for several countries. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Philippines removes Chinese ‘floating barrier’ in South China Sea after ‘special operation’

The coast guard of China was accused by the Philippines on Sunday (September 24) of installing a "floating barrier" in the South China Sea's disputed area, stating that this has prevented the Filipinos from entering the area and fishing. 
 
The coast guard of Manila and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources "strongly condemned" the installation of the barrier by China in a part of the Scarborough Shoal, coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela posted on the X social media platform, which was formerly called Twitter. 
 
He said that the fishermen from the shoal are being blocked by the barrier and have been deprived of carrying out fishing and other livelihood activities.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-holds-rare-talks-with-syrias-assad-appeals-west-to-lift-sanctions-against-latter-638696">China's Xi holds rare talks with Syria's Assad, appeals West to lift sanctions against latter</a>

“The Philippine coast guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources strongly condemn the China coast guard’s installation of a floating barrier in the Southeast portion of Bajo de Masinloc, which prevents Filipino fishing boats from entering the shoal and depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities,” read the statement posted on X. 
 
The spokesperson also posted photos of the alleged floating barrier and stated that the floating barrier was installed by three Chinese coast guard boats and a Chinese maritime militia service after the Philippine government vessel arrived in the area.

<h2>Philippines shares footage of broken and bleached coral</h2>

Earlier this week, the Philippine coast guard shared footage in which vast patches of broken and bleached coral were seen after which China was accused by the officials of causing massive destruction in the area. 
 
“The continued swarming for the indiscriminate illegal and destructive fishing activities of the Chinese maritime militia in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal may have directly caused the degradation and destruction of the marine environment in the [West Philippine Sea] features,” said Tarriela in a statement, while he referred to the name of Manila for parts of the South China Sea that fall under their jurisdiction. 
 
“The presence of crushed corals strongly suggests a potential act of dumping, possibly involving the same dead corals that were previously processed and cleaned before being returned to the seabed,” Tarriela stated. 
 
Speaking at a routine briefing about the coral destruction on Thursday (September 21), the foreign ministry of China dismissed the allegations as “false and groundless.”

WATCH |&nbsp;China ramps up military drills around Taiwan

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“We advise the Philippine authorities not to utilize fabricated information to stage a political farce,” said spokesperson Mao Ning, while speaking to the reporters. 
 
As per the Filipino fishermen, Chinese vessels “usually install floating barriers whenever they monitor a large number of Filipino fishermen in the area,” the statement said. 
 
"The (Philippine Coast Guard) will continue to work closely with all concerned government agencies to address these challenges, uphold our maritime rights and protect our maritime domains," Tarriela stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The coast guard of China was accused by the Philippines on Sunday (September 24) of installing a "floating barrier" in the South China Sea's disputed area, stating that this has prevented the Filipinos from entering the area and fishing.

The coast guard of China was accused by the Philippines on Sunday (September 24) of installing a "floating barrier" in the South China Sea's disputed area, stating that this has prevented the Filipinos from entering the area and fishing. The coast guard of Manila and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources "strongly condemned" the installation of the barrier by China in a part of the Scarborough Shoal, coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela posted on the X social media platform, which was formerly called Twitter. He said that the fishermen from the shoal are being blocked by the barrier and have been deprived of carrying out fishing and other livelihood activities. ALSO READ | China's Xi holds rare talks with Syria's Assad, appeals West to lift sanctions against latter “The Philippine coast guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources strongly condemn the China coast guard’s installation of a floating barrier in the Southeast portion of Bajo de Masinloc, which prevents Filipino fishing boats from entering the shoal and depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities,” read the statement posted on X. The spokesperson also posted photos of the alleged floating barrier and stated that the floating barrier was installed by three Chinese coast guard boats and a Chinese maritime militia service after the Philippine government vessel arrived in the area. Philippines shares footage of broken and bleached coral Earlier this week, the Philippine coast guard shared footage in which vast patches of broken and bleached coral were seen after which China was accused by the officials of causing massive destruction in the area. “The continued swarming for the indiscriminate illegal and destructive fishing activities of the Chinese maritime militia in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal may have directly caused the degradation and destruction of the marine environment in the [West Philippine Sea] features,” said Tarriela in a statement, while he referred to the name of Manila for parts of the South China Sea that fall under their jurisdiction. “The presence of crushed corals strongly suggests a potential act of dumping, possibly involving the same dead corals that were previously processed and cleaned before being returned to the seabed,” Tarriela stated. Speaking at a routine briefing about the coral destruction on Thursday (September 21), the foreign ministry of China dismissed the allegations as “false and groundless.” WATCH | China ramps up military drills around Taiwan “We advise the Philippine authorities not to utilize fabricated information to stage a political farce,” said spokesperson Mao Ning, while speaking to the reporters. As per the Filipino fishermen, Chinese vessels “usually install floating barriers whenever they monitor a large number of Filipino fishermen in the area,” the statement said. "The (Philippine Coast Guard) will continue to work closely with all concerned government agencies to address these challenges, uphold our maritime rights and protect our maritime domains," Tarriela stated. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Philippines accuses China of installing 'floating barrier' in South China Sea

China has installed ground stations for its BeiDou satellite system in the disputed South China Sea island in order to “monitor ships” and “support reliable navigational guidance”, the state media reported.

These ground stations, also called lighthouses, are located on North Reef and Bombay Reef in the Paracel Islands—an area claimed by both Vietnam and Taiwan.

The state-run CCTV report, citing the Maritime Safety Administration, said that the ground stations began operating on Friday to “solve the problem of a blind spot in the country’s shore-based ship AIS in the waters around the Paracels”.

They would “serve as strong support” to monitor ships in the area, for “ecological protection of the islands and reefs of Sansha and to provide safer and more reliable navigational guidance for ships in the South China Sea”, the report said.

Sansha is a municipality that was established in 2012 by China to govern most of the South China Sea.

<h2>China's claims over South China Sea</h2>

Beijing claims a vast area of the South China Sea and it has demarcated the area by its so-called "nine-dash line".

The line comprises nine dashes which extend hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan, including the Paracel and Spratly Islands, as well as Macclesfield Bank.

Brunei, Taipei, The Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, all have overlapping claims to parts of the resource-rich South China Sea, one of the busiest waterways in the world.

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The waters frequently see tussles between People’s Liberation Army&nbsp;warships and the US Navy when it carries out “freedom of navigation operations” in the area.

<h2>Tight control over disputed island</h2>

The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is a home-grown navigation satellite designed to compete with the United States-owned Global Positioning System (GPS).

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/banned-separatist-group-sfj-threatens-to-shut-down-indian-consulates-next-week-637580">Nijjar death: Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens Hindus in Canada</a>

Initiated in the 1990s, the satellite system became operational in 2000. Then, in 2012, the navigation system was made operational all over the Asia-Pacific region, and in November 2020, it was launched for global service

Like GPS, BeiDou does not require a ground station to provide general navigation or positioning services. But a nearby ground station could greatly improve accuracy, especially for military purposes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China has installed ground stations for its BeiDou satellite system in the disputed South China Sea island in order to “monitor ships” and “support reliable navigational guidance”, the state media reported.

China has installed ground stations for its BeiDou satellite system in the disputed South China Sea island in order to “monitor ships” and “support reliable navigational guidance”, the state media reported. These ground stations, also called lighthouses, are located on North Reef and Bombay Reef in the Paracel Islands—an area claimed by both Vietnam and Taiwan. The state-run CCTV report, citing the Maritime Safety Administration, said that the ground stations began operating on Friday to “solve the problem of a blind spot in the country’s shore-based ship AIS in the waters around the Paracels”. They would “serve as strong support” to monitor ships in the area, for “ecological protection of the islands and reefs of Sansha and to provide safer and more reliable navigational guidance for ships in the South China Sea”, the report said. Sansha is a municipality that was established in 2012 by China to govern most of the South China Sea. China's claims over South China Sea Beijing claims a vast area of the South China Sea and it has demarcated the area by its so-called "nine-dash line". The line comprises nine dashes which extend hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan, including the Paracel and Spratly Islands, as well as Macclesfield Bank. Brunei, Taipei, The Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, all have overlapping claims to parts of the resource-rich South China Sea, one of the busiest waterways in the world. Also read | NYC daycare operator tried to cover up fentanyl operation before toddler's death: Feds The waters frequently see tussles between People’s Liberation Army warships and the US Navy when it carries out “freedom of navigation operations” in the area. Tight control over disputed island The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is a home-grown navigation satellite designed to compete with the United States-owned Global Positioning System (GPS). Also read | Nijjar death: Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens Hindus in Canada Initiated in the 1990s, the satellite system became operational in 2000. Then, in 2012, the navigation system was made operational all over the Asia-Pacific region, and in November 2020, it was launched for global service Like GPS, BeiDou does not require a ground station to provide general navigation or positioning services. But a nearby ground station could greatly improve accuracy, especially for military purposes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China installs ground stations in disputed South China Sea to monitor vessels: Report

Malaysia and China have agreed to engage in continued and open communication on the issue of the South China Sea. This comes after China released a 10-line map laying claim to almost the entire South China Sea, including the area lying off the coast of Malaysian Borneo.

South China Sea row: Malaysia, China to have open communication over the South China Sea

The Philippines on Friday (September 8) slammed China's coast guard and "maritime militia" for "illegal, aggressive and destabilising" behaviour towards its boats that allegedly interfered in another routine resupply mission to a remote military outpost in the disputed South China Sea.&nbsp;

The Philippines Coast Guard said that two Philippine Coast Guard vessels were encountered by four Chinese Coast Guard and four "militia" boats at the time when they were escorting supply boats to the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.&nbsp;

Manila said that the vessels were able to successfully deliver the cargo, but the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said that the Chinese vessels had carried out "harassment, dangerous manoeuvres, and aggressive conduct" towards the Philippine boats.&nbsp;

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Using the acronyms for the Chinese vessels, "The Task Force strongly deplores and condemns the continued illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing conduct of the CCG and the CMM within our nation's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)."&nbsp;

A conflict persists as China claims almost the entire waterway, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.&nbsp;

As mentioned in the reports by news agencies, the China Coast Guard spokesperson said in a statement that the Philippine boats of entering the waters around the reef "without obtaining permission from the Chinese government".&nbsp;

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"The Chinese Coast Guard issued stern warnings, trailed their entire course, and effectively regulated the Philippine ships in accordance with the law. China... firmly opposes the illegal transportation of construction materials by the Philippines to the illegal grounded warship," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometres from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan island.&nbsp;

The Philippine Navy deliberately grounded the World War II-era BRP Sierra Madre on the shoal in 1999 to check China's advance in the waters. The troops stationed on the crumbling ship depend on regular deliveries for their survival.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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The Philippines on Friday (September 8) slammed China's coast guard and "maritime militia" for "illegal, aggressive and destabilising" behaviour towards its boats that allegedly interfered in another routine resupply mission to a remote military outpost in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippines on Friday (September 8) slammed China's coast guard and "maritime militia" for "illegal, aggressive and destabilising" behaviour towards its boats that allegedly interfered in another routine resupply mission to a remote military outpost in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines Coast Guard said that two Philippine Coast Guard vessels were encountered by four Chinese Coast Guard and four "militia" boats at the time when they were escorting supply boats to the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. Manila said that the vessels were able to successfully deliver the cargo, but the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said that the Chinese vessels had carried out "harassment, dangerous manoeuvres, and aggressive conduct" towards the Philippine boats. Also read: Ukraine and US condemn ‘sham elections’ in Crimea, Russia decries ‘meddling’ Using the acronyms for the Chinese vessels, "The Task Force strongly deplores and condemns the continued illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing conduct of the CCG and the CMM within our nation's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)." A conflict persists as China claims almost the entire waterway, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. As mentioned in the reports by news agencies, the China Coast Guard spokesperson said in a statement that the Philippine boats of entering the waters around the reef "without obtaining permission from the Chinese government". Also read: Most Americans think Joe Biden, when VP, was involved in Hunter Biden’s dealings: Survey Watch: G20's role in talent repatriation | India's G20 presidency and brain drain × "The Chinese Coast Guard issued stern warnings, trailed their entire course, and effectively regulated the Philippine ships in accordance with the law. China... firmly opposes the illegal transportation of construction materials by the Philippines to the illegal grounded warship," the spokesperson said. Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometres from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan island. The Philippine Navy deliberately grounded the World War II-era BRP Sierra Madre on the shoal in 1999 to check China's advance in the waters. The troops stationed on the crumbling ship depend on regular deliveries for their survival. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Philippines slams China for 'illegal, aggressive and destabilising' behaviour towards its boats

The US State Department has criticised China's new map asserting possession over nearly the entire South China Sea, adding its voice to a chorus of nations rejecting Beijing's territorial and maritime claims in the highly disputed waters.

US slams ‘unlawful’ China map showing claims over South China Sea

Antagonising almost its entire neighbourhood, China on Monday (August 29) released its official 'standard map' wherein it showed the Indian northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region as part of its territory.

Antagonising almost its entire neighbourhood, China on Monday (August 29) released its official 'standard map' wherein it showed the Indian northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region as part of its territory. Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea have also been included within the Chinese territory in the new map. The Chinese government's mouthpiece Global Times took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the 'distorted' map, claiming it has been "compiled based on the drawing method of the national boundaries of China and various countries in the world". "The 2023 edition of China's standard map was officially released on Monday and launched on the website of the standard map service hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources," read the post. (Disclaimer: This is an inaccurate map as it violates internationally accepted borders) The 2023 edition of China's standard map was officially released on Monday and launched on the website of the standard map service hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources. This map is compiled based on the drawing method of national boundaries of China and various countries… pic.twitter.com/bmtriz2Yqe — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 28, 2023 × The map shows Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims is part of Tibet, more specifically South Tibet and Aksai China occupied by it in the 1962 war. Additionally, Taiwan has been incorporated as part of Chinese territory. Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin Last month, China and India were at loggerheads yet again after Beijing issued stapled, not stamped, visas to Indian athletes hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, who were to participate in the wushu (martial art) championship in the mainland. The athletes applied for a Chinese visa on July 16. The applications of all athletes were processed in time and stamped visas were issued subsequently barring applications from three Arunachal athletes -- Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu. They were first asked to resubmit their applications and later were issued stapled visas. Also read | 'Unacceptable': India slams China over stapled visas issued to three Wushu fighters from Arunachal Beijing considers AP a part of its sovereign borders and calls the state as “Zangnan, the southern part of Tibet". It disputes the legality of the McMahon Line which was agreed upon at the Simla Convention of 1914 between Tibet and British India. Meanwhile, the dispute of Aksai Chin can be traced back to the British imperialists, who failed to clearly demarcate the border between India and China. Currently, the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where the two countries have been locked in a tussle for over two years now, separates Indian areas of Jammu & Kashmir from Aksai Chin. New Delhi, however, has outrightly rejected the map, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishnkar pointing out that it wasn't the first time China had come out with a similar move. "It's an old habit of theirs. These (territories) are very much part of India. This government is very clear what our territories are. Making absurd claims doesn't make others territories yours," the minister was quoted as saying by NDTV. Watch | New China map show whole of Arunachal Pradesh as part of China × Taiwan China painting Taiwan with its communist colours on the map has not come as a surprise to most geopolitical hawks. The Xi Jinping regime has been extremely protective of its 'One China policy' under which it claims Taiwan as an indelible sovereign part of its territory. However, over the last 12 months, Taipei has continuously pounded Beijing's ego by batting for its independence. In August last year, former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island nation much to the chagrin of Beijing. As a retaliatory move, the PLA Navy deployed troops and warships that routinely crossed the Taiwan Strait and practised manoeuvres that might be performed during a future invasion. Also read | China's map claiming regions beyond its border, including India, shows Beijing's 'aggressive character' Earlier this year, Taiwanese President Tsai-Ing Wen visited New York, forcing Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi to release a statement where he said Taipei remained a sovereign part of China and that no compromise was possible on the issue. However, days later, the US State Department approved the potential sale of ammunition and logistics support to Taiwan, valued at up to $440 million. The defence contract confirmation came in the backdrop of the two countries signing the first deal under a new trade talks framework in June 2023. Nine-dash line Having been embroiled in a battle of territorial domination with the Philippines over the course of the last few weeks in the South China Sea, it was only imperative that Beijing propounded its nine-dash line theory on the map. The nine-dash line is a fictional Chinese claim in the South China Sea, nearly encompassing the entire 'economically powerful' region, including the disputed Spratly and Paracel islands. The likes of the Philippines. Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan have time and again called out the Dragon for its expansionist tendencies in the region. South China Sea is the main maritime link between the Pacific and Indian oceans, giving it massive trade and military value. It has become a major flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific because of the territorial disputes. The shipping lanes connect East Asia with Europe and the Middle East, which is responsible for trillions of dollars in ship-borne trade passing through the sea annually. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: China releases distorted 'standard' map. What exactly is the controversy?

Despite Chinese threats, the Philippines on Tuesday (August 22) said its resupply mission to troops on a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea was a success.

Despite Chinese threats, the Philippines on Tuesday (August 22) said its resupply mission to troops on a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea was a success. Manila said Chinese vessels attempted to block the boats carrying the fresh provisions but the Filipino side persevered. "The routine follow-on Rotation and Resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre was successfully conducted today," the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement. The supplies were intended for troops stationed on a rusty, World War-2 era warship that Manila intentionally grounded in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim to the Second Thomas Shoal, located in the Spratly Islands, which lies within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone. The tiny garrison depends on regular deliveries of provisions for their survival. China fires water cannons The mission comes just over two weeks after the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) fired water cannons at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels carrying the ration. A video released by the PCG at the time showed the CCG conducting dangerous manoeuvres in the open sea without any provocation from the Filipino side. Also read | China fires water cannons at Filipino boats in South China Sea Since the incident, both sides have traded verbal blows, with Manila vowing to never abandon the shoal, despite Beijing's incessant pressure tactics. "For the record, we will never abandon Ayungin Shoal. We are committed to Ayungin Shoal," said Jonathan Malaya, spokesman for the National Security Council, using the Filipino name for Second Thomas Shoal. Support pours in for the Philippines Even the US got involved as the State Department released a statement, condemning the Chinese actions, saying they were carried out by the coast guard and "maritime militia" which threatened peace and stability in the region. "The US stands with our Philippine allies in the face of dangerous actions by the Coast Guard and maritime militia of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to obstruct an August 5 PH resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea," read the statement. Watch | Tensions rise over Chinese vessels in South-China sea According to an Asia Nikkei report, South Korea and India also joined the US, Japan and other European nations in supporting the Philippines as China continued its belligerent activities in the region. Notably, Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored a 2016 international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Despite Chinese threats, Philippines conducts successful resupply mission to remote outpost in South China Sea

China on Monday (Aug 21) protested against a statement given by the US, Japan and South Korea wherein they criticised Beijing's “dangerous and aggressive behaviour” in the marine disputes relating to the East and South China Sea.

The statement came on Friday (Aug 18) during a summit hosted by US President Joe Biden to discuss a three-way security cooperation at the Camp David presidential retreat.

On Monday, China hit back at the leaders saying they "smeared and attacked China on Taiwan-related and maritime issues, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and deliberately sowed discord between China and its neighbours."

Addressing the media. foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China expresses "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition and has lodged solemn representations with relevant parties".

The Camp David summit marked the first official meeting between US President Joe Biden, his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk-yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

<h2>Trilateral meeting&nbsp;</h2>

The meeting comes in the wake of the thawing of relations between South Korea and Japan amidst China’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region also due to a string of recent&nbsp;North Korean missile tests.

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“We are resolute in our determination to uphold regional security, strengthen Indo-Pacific engagement, and promote common prosperity,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

In the meeting, three countries agreed to a new “duty to consult” security pledge committing them to speak with each other in the event of a security crisis or threat in the Pacific.

The pledge seeks to acknowledge that they share “fundamentally interlinked security environments” and that a threat to one is “a threat to all,” a senior Biden administration official told AP news agency on the condition of anonymity.

Under the pledge, the three countries agree to consult, share information and align their messaging with each other in the face of a threat or crisis, the official said.

<h2>China, North Korea in focus&nbsp;</h2>

Despite it being&nbsp;obvious, Biden maintained that the summit “was not about China”, rather it was focused on broader security issues.

But in their joint summit concluding statement, the three countries noted China’s “dangerous and aggressive” action in the South China Sea and said they “strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific.”

<a name="html-embed-module-e30000"></a>Yoon particularly highlighted the threat posed by North Korea, saying the three leaders had agreed to improve “our joint response capabilities to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, which have become sophisticated more than ever.”

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China on Monday (Aug 21) protested against a statement given by the US, Japan and South Korea wherein they criticised Beijing's “dangerous and aggressive behaviour” in the marine disputes relating to the East and South China Sea.

China on Monday (Aug 21) protested against a statement given by the US, Japan and South Korea wherein they criticised Beijing's “dangerous and aggressive behaviour” in the marine disputes relating to the East and South China Sea. The statement came on Friday (Aug 18) during a summit hosted by US President Joe Biden to discuss a three-way security cooperation at the Camp David presidential retreat. On Monday, China hit back at the leaders saying they "smeared and attacked China on Taiwan-related and maritime issues, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and deliberately sowed discord between China and its neighbours." Addressing the media. foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China expresses "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition and has lodged solemn representations with relevant parties". The Camp David summit marked the first official meeting between US President Joe Biden, his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk-yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Trilateral meeting The meeting comes in the wake of the thawing of relations between South Korea and Japan amidst China’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region also due to a string of recent North Korean missile tests. “We are resolute in our determination to uphold regional security, strengthen Indo-Pacific engagement, and promote common prosperity,” the leaders said in a joint statement. In the meeting, three countries agreed to a new “duty to consult” security pledge committing them to speak with each other in the event of a security crisis or threat in the Pacific. The pledge seeks to acknowledge that they share “fundamentally interlinked security environments” and that a threat to one is “a threat to all,” a senior Biden administration official told AP news agency on the condition of anonymity. Under the pledge, the three countries agree to consult, share information and align their messaging with each other in the face of a threat or crisis, the official said. China, North Korea in focus Despite it being obvious, Biden maintained that the summit “was not about China”, rather it was focused on broader security issues. But in their joint summit concluding statement, the three countries noted China’s “dangerous and aggressive” action in the South China Sea and said they “strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific.” Yoon particularly highlighted the threat posed by North Korea, saying the three leaders had agreed to improve “our joint response capabilities to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, which have become sophisticated more than ever.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China slams US, South Korea and Japan over their statements on South China Sea

Weeks after China fired water cannons on Philippines vessels, Manila said it would again seek to resupply troops along the same route.&nbsp;

“This exercise of our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is a testament to our firm belief in the rules-based international order that underpins regional peace and stability,” said&nbsp;Philippine armed forces spokesperson&nbsp;Medel Aguilar.&nbsp;

The spokesperson added that the resupply mission was a show of resolve by the country to stand up against threats and coercion.

The supplies are intended for troops stationed on a rusty, World War-2 era warship that Manila&nbsp;intentionally grounded in 1999 as&nbsp;part of its sovereignty claim to the shoal, which lies within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

<h2>What happened?</h2>

Earlier this month, the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) fired water cannons on the&nbsp;Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)&nbsp;as it escorted vessels carrying food, water, fuel and other supplies for Filipino military personnel stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

"The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strongly condemns the China Coast Guard's (CCG) dangerous manoeuvres and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels," the PCG said in a statement.

A video released by the PCG showed the CCG conducting dangerous manoeuvres in the open sea without any provocation from the Filipino side.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-fires-water-cannons-at-filipino-boats-in-south-china-sea-622777">Also read |&nbsp;China fires water cannons at Filipino boats in South China Sea</a>

After the firing,&nbsp;President Ferdinand Marcos announced Manila had summoned&nbsp;Beijing's envoy to express its displeasure.

China&nbsp;retaliated by saying it had taken "necessary controls" against Filipino boats&nbsp;that had "illegally" entered its waters.

"Two repair ships and two coast guard ships from the Philippines illegally broke into the waters...in China's Nansha Islands," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tensions-rise-over-chinese-vessels-in-south-china-sea-613604" target="_blank">Watch | Tensions rise over Chinese vessels in South-China sea</a>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" data-gtm-yt-inspected-20="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-25="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-30="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-31="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tensions-rise-over-chinese-vessels-in-south-china-sea-613604/embed" width="560"></iframe>Manila instantly hit back and said it will never abandon the disputed shoal, despite Beijig's incessant pressure tactics.&nbsp;

"For the record, we will never abandon Ayungin Shoal. We are committed to Ayungin Shoal,"&nbsp;Jonathan Malaya, spokesman for the National Security Council was quoted as saying by AFP. He used the Philippine name for&nbsp;Second Thomas Shoal, located in the Spratly Islands.

Notably, Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored a 2016 international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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Weeks after China fired water cannons on Philippines vessels, Manila said it would again seek to resupply troops along the same route. “This exercise of our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is a testament to our firm belief in the rules-based international order that underpins regional peace and stability,” said Philippine armed forces spokesperson Medel Aguilar.

Weeks after China fired water cannons on Philippines vessels, Manila said it would again seek to resupply troops along the same route. “This exercise of our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is a testament to our firm belief in the rules-based international order that underpins regional peace and stability,” said Philippine armed forces spokesperson Medel Aguilar. The spokesperson added that the resupply mission was a show of resolve by the country to stand up against threats and coercion. The supplies are intended for troops stationed on a rusty, World War-2 era warship that Manila intentionally grounded in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim to the shoal, which lies within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone. What happened? Earlier this month, the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) fired water cannons on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as it escorted vessels carrying food, water, fuel and other supplies for Filipino military personnel stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. "The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strongly condemns the China Coast Guard's (CCG) dangerous manoeuvres and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels," the PCG said in a statement. A video released by the PCG showed the CCG conducting dangerous manoeuvres in the open sea without any provocation from the Filipino side. Also read | China fires water cannons at Filipino boats in South China Sea After the firing, President Ferdinand Marcos announced Manila had summoned Beijing's envoy to express its displeasure. China retaliated by saying it had taken "necessary controls" against Filipino boats that had "illegally" entered its waters. "Two repair ships and two coast guard ships from the Philippines illegally broke into the waters...in China's Nansha Islands," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said. Watch | Tensions rise over Chinese vessels in South-China sea Manila instantly hit back and said it will never abandon the disputed shoal, despite Beijig's incessant pressure tactics. "For the record, we will never abandon Ayungin Shoal. We are committed to Ayungin Shoal," Jonathan Malaya, spokesman for the National Security Council was quoted as saying by AFP. He used the Philippine name for Second Thomas Shoal, located in the Spratly Islands. Notably, Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored a 2016 international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Philippines to resupply troops again, weeks after Chinese water cannon attack

On the 5th of August in some pretty dramatic scenes a Chinese coast guard ship fired a water canon on a Filipino military supply ship. Beijing later said it had only taken 'necessary action' against Filipino boats that had illegally entered into its waters. But Manila condemned the Chinese action as 'illegal, excessive and dangerous'. At the heart of the conflict this time round is a grounded warship in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea. What is interesting is that this warship was purposely grounded by the Philippines in 1999 to assert its sovereignty claims over the Spratly islands. It has since then been used as a military outpost by the Philippines. China wants the grounded warship to be towed out of the Spratly islands. But the Philippines remains defiant. Mohammed Saleh gets you more details.

China shoots water cannon on a Filipino supply ship in South China Sea

China appears to be building an airstrip at a disputed island in the South China Sea which is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, satellite photos show.

The new airstrip is being built on Triton Island and is nearly 2,000 feet long, which is long enough to accommodate turboprop aircraft and drones, but not fighter jets or bombers.

Though the exact timeframe of when the construction began is unknown, The Drive news site, which has access to the images captured by Planet Labs, reported that the construction started a few weeks ago.

According to reports, the airstrip is still in its early stages and is difficult to determine what purpose it’s intended to serve.

<h2>China's militarisation of South China Sea continues&nbsp;</h2>

The AP news agency, on the other hand, said that the work on Triton Island in the Paracel group mirrors construction on seven human-made islands in the Spratly group to the east, which are equipped with airstrips, docks and military systems.

China seized full control of the Paracels from Vietnam in a brief 1974 naval conflict.

The satellite imagery also reveals a huge new work area, including a cement plant. It is being reported that this all came up within the last month.

Prior to the construction, the island housed an observation station with two radomes, a small helipad, harbour and large Chinese flags.

<h2>Triton also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan&nbsp;</h2>

Triton is one of the major islands in the Paracel group, and sandwiched between the coast of Vietnam and China’s island province of Hainan.

Though Vietnam and Taiwan have laid claims to the archipelago of some 130 coral islands and reefs spread over 5,800 square miles, China has treated the South China Sea area as its own since the 1970s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/niger-military-junta-supporters-raise-call-for-mass-mobilisation-as-military-action-looms-626099">Niger: Junta supporters call for mass mobilisation as military action looms</a>

China has been seeking to shore up its vast territorial claims over virtually the entire South China Sea by building island bases on coral atolls nearly a decade ago.

US Navy has regularly undertaken “freedom of navigation operations” near the Chinese-held islands since 2016. Triton was the focus of one of those missions in 2018.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-poland-lithuania-closes-border-checkpoints-with-belarus-due-to-geopolitical-circumstances-626094">After Poland, Lithuania closes border checkpoints with Belarus due to ‘geopolitical circumstances’</a>

Beijing has militarised several islands in the sea, including the Woody Island which hosts a near 9,000-foot-long runway for its naval and air force assets.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China appears to be building an airstrip at a disputed island in the South China Sea which is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, satellite photos show. The new airstrip is being built on Triton Island and is nearly 2,000 feet long, which is long enough to accommodate turboprop aircraft and drones, but not fighter jets or bombers.

China appears to be building an airstrip at a disputed island in the South China Sea which is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, satellite photos show. The new airstrip is being built on Triton Island and is nearly 2,000 feet long, which is long enough to accommodate turboprop aircraft and drones, but not fighter jets or bombers. Though the exact timeframe of when the construction began is unknown, The Drive news site, which has access to the images captured by Planet Labs, reported that the construction started a few weeks ago. According to reports, the airstrip is still in its early stages and is difficult to determine what purpose it’s intended to serve. China's militarisation of South China Sea continues The AP news agency, on the other hand, said that the work on Triton Island in the Paracel group mirrors construction on seven human-made islands in the Spratly group to the east, which are equipped with airstrips, docks and military systems. China seized full control of the Paracels from Vietnam in a brief 1974 naval conflict. The satellite imagery also reveals a huge new work area, including a cement plant. It is being reported that this all came up within the last month. Prior to the construction, the island housed an observation station with two radomes, a small helipad, harbour and large Chinese flags. Triton also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan Triton is one of the major islands in the Paracel group, and sandwiched between the coast of Vietnam and China’s island province of Hainan. Though Vietnam and Taiwan have laid claims to the archipelago of some 130 coral islands and reefs spread over 5,800 square miles, China has treated the South China Sea area as its own since the 1970s. Also read | Niger: Junta supporters call for mass mobilisation as military action looms China has been seeking to shore up its vast territorial claims over virtually the entire South China Sea by building island bases on coral atolls nearly a decade ago. US Navy has regularly undertaken “freedom of navigation operations” near the Chinese-held islands since 2016. Triton was the focus of one of those missions in 2018. Also read | After Poland, Lithuania closes border checkpoints with Belarus due to ‘geopolitical circumstances’ Beijing has militarised several islands in the sea, including the Woody Island which hosts a near 9,000-foot-long runway for its naval and air force assets. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Satellite images reveal China building airbase on disputed South China Sea island

China's ambitions in the South China Sea show no signs of slowing down. In the last 10 years, Beijing has deployed significant military assets to intimidate any country challenging this key international shipping lane.

China's 'Little Blue Men': Explained

The race for space is heating up and world powers are eyeing the moon especially the moon's Southern Pole. Watch the video to know more.

US warns of conflict in space, NASA says South Pole may become another 'South China Sea' | WION

China on Tuesday (August 8) again asked the Philippines to remove an ageing World War II-era ship from a disputed shoal. The recent calls come after Manila rejected Beijing's earlier demand. The mentioned shoal is a reef that Manila uses to press its stake in the Spratly Islands against Beijing's claim to nearly the entire South China Sea.&nbsp;

Tensions have been simmering between the two nations after the Chinese coastguard ships fired water cannons at vessels supplying troops stationed there over the weekend.&nbsp;

The disputed reef is known as the Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines and Renai Shoal in China. Beijing claims that the disputed reef has been occupied by the Philippines since 1999.&nbsp;

In that year, the BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded in an effort to check the advance of China in the hotly contested waters. But it remains a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing.&nbsp;

An official said that Manila will "never abandon" the Philippine-held shoal. National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya told reporters that "for the record, we will never abandon Ayungin Shoal. We are committed to Ayungin Shoal".&nbsp;

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(Image credit:&nbsp;BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999 is pictured on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea March 29, 2014.)

Meanwhile, China has targeted the United States as its embassy in Manila slammed Washington for "gathering" its allies to continue "hyping up" the South China Sea issue and the boat incident.&nbsp;

In a statement on Tuesday, the embassy said: "The South China Sea is not a 'safari park' for countries outside the region to make mischief and sow discord."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-report-says-atrocities-and-war-crimes-by-myanmars-military-more-frequent-and-brazen-623535">UN report says atrocities and war crimes by Myanmar's military 'more frequent and brazen'</a>&nbsp;

The water cannon incident on August 5 came after Manila repeatedly accused the Chinese coastguard of blocking resupply missions to its troops there.&nbsp;

But Beijing has defended its actions as "professional" and accused Manila of "illegal delivery of construction materials" to the grounded ship.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;China objects to 'Vasudhahva Kutumbkam' mention in G20 papers&nbsp;

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A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said Tuesday: "The Philippine side has repeatedly made clear promises to tow away the warship illegally 'stranded' on the reef."&nbsp;

"Twenty-four years have passed, the Philippine side has not only failed to tow away the warship but also attempted to repair and reinforce it on a large scale to achieve permanent occupation of the Ren'ai Reef," they said, using the Chinese term for the Second Thomas Shoal.

"The Chinese side once again urges the Philippines to immediately tow away the 'stranded' warship from the Ren'ai Reef and restore the status of no one and no facilities on the reef," they said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-taliban-couldnt-silence-her-this-exiled-afghan-journo-is-changing-lives-one-story-at-a-time-623453">Exclusive | Taliban couldn’t silence her: This exiled Afghan journalist is changing lives, one story at a time</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Here's what the Philippines said&nbsp;</h2>

The Philippine foreign ministry said Tuesday the "permanent station" on Second Thomas Shoal was in response to China's "illegal occupation" of nearby Mischief Reef in 1995.

"The deployment of a Philippine military station in its own areas of jurisdiction is an inherent right of the Philippines and does not violate any laws," the ministry said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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China on Tuesday (August 8) again asked the Philippines to remove an ageing World War II-era ship from a disputed shoal. The recent calls come after Manila rejected Beijing's earlier demand.

China on Tuesday (August 8) again asked the Philippines to remove an ageing World War II-era ship from a disputed shoal. The recent calls come after Manila rejected Beijing's earlier demand. The mentioned shoal is a reef that Manila uses to press its stake in the Spratly Islands against Beijing's claim to nearly the entire South China Sea. Tensions have been simmering between the two nations after the Chinese coastguard ships fired water cannons at vessels supplying troops stationed there over the weekend. The disputed reef is known as the Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines and Renai Shoal in China. Beijing claims that the disputed reef has been occupied by the Philippines since 1999. In that year, the BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded in an effort to check the advance of China in the hotly contested waters. But it remains a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing. An official said that Manila will "never abandon" the Philippine-held shoal. National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya told reporters that "for the record, we will never abandon Ayungin Shoal. We are committed to Ayungin Shoal". (Image credit: BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999 is pictured on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea March 29, 2014.) Meanwhile, China has targeted the United States as its embassy in Manila slammed Washington for "gathering" its allies to continue "hyping up" the South China Sea issue and the boat incident. In a statement on Tuesday, the embassy said: "The South China Sea is not a 'safari park' for countries outside the region to make mischief and sow discord." Also read: UN report says atrocities and war crimes by Myanmar's military 'more frequent and brazen' The water cannon incident on August 5 came after Manila repeatedly accused the Chinese coastguard of blocking resupply missions to its troops there. But Beijing has defended its actions as "professional" and accused Manila of "illegal delivery of construction materials" to the grounded ship. Watch: China objects to 'Vasudhahva Kutumbkam' mention in G20 papers × A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said Tuesday: "The Philippine side has repeatedly made clear promises to tow away the warship illegally 'stranded' on the reef." "Twenty-four years have passed, the Philippine side has not only failed to tow away the warship but also attempted to repair and reinforce it on a large scale to achieve permanent occupation of the Ren'ai Reef," they said, using the Chinese term for the Second Thomas Shoal. "The Chinese side once again urges the Philippines to immediately tow away the 'stranded' warship from the Ren'ai Reef and restore the status of no one and no facilities on the reef," they said. Also read: Exclusive | Taliban couldn’t silence her: This exiled Afghan journalist is changing lives, one story at a time Here's what the Philippines said The Philippine foreign ministry said Tuesday the "permanent station" on Second Thomas Shoal was in response to China's "illegal occupation" of nearby Mischief Reef in 1995. "The deployment of a Philippine military station in its own areas of jurisdiction is an inherent right of the Philippines and does not violate any laws," the ministry said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China again asks Philippines to remove grounded ship from disputed waters

Tensions are simmering between China & Philippines. The Chinese Coast Guard allegedly blocked & fired water cannon at a Philippine vessel.

Why are tensions rising between China & Philippines again in the disputed South China Sea?

The Chinese coast guard used water cannons in an altercation with Philippine vessels over the weekend in the disputed South China Sea, prompting the Philippine government to call China's ambassador and deliver a strongly worded diplomatic complaint, according to sources.

China and Philippines spar in South China sea

The Philippines on Sunday (August 6), accused China of firing water cannon at one of its vessels in the disputed South China Sea, according to news agency AFP. Describing the Chinese Coast Guard's actions as "illegal" and "dangerous", Manila issued a strong condemnation statement.

The Philippines on Sunday (August 6), accused China of firing water cannon at one of its vessels in the disputed South China Sea, according to news agency AFP. Describing the Chinese Coast Guard's actions as "illegal" and "dangerous", Manila issued a strong condemnation statement. The incident transpired on Saturday (August 5) as the Philippine Coast Guard escorted vessels carrying food, water, fuel and other supplies for Filipino military personnel stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. "The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strongly condemns the China Coast Guard's (CCG) dangerous manoeuvres and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels," the PCG said in a statement. "Such actions by the CCG not only disregarded the safety of the PCG crew and the supply boats but also violated international law." Notably, Saturday was the first time since November 2021 that the Chinese side used water cannon against a Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. Hours after the Philippines made the claims, China retaliated by saying it had taken "necessary controls" against Filipino boats that had "illegally" entered its waters. "Two repair ships and two coast guard ships from the Philippines illegally broke into the waters...in China's Nansha Islands," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said. Watch | Tensions rise over Chinese vessels in South-China sea × US condemns the move In the aftermath, the US State Department released a statement condemning the Chinese actions, saying they were carried out by the coast guard and "maritime militia" which threatened peace and stability in the region. "The US stands with our Philippine allies in the face of dangerous actions by the Coast Guard and maritime militia of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to obstruct an August 5 PH resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea," read the statement released. "The United States reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces—including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea—would invoke US mutual defence commitments," it added. Also read | Can South China Sea dispute escalate into a full-scale war? This was not the first instance when China has made a nuisance of itself in the region. Earlier this year, the Philippines accused Beijing of shining a "military grade" laser light to scuttle a resupply mission to a disputed shoal in the region. Despite China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea, the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 ruled that Beijing did not have a standing, purely on a historical basis. However, since the tribunal has no powers to enforce its ruling, China continues to build advanced infrastructure in the region, much to the chagrin of countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

China fires water cannons at Filipino boats in South China Sea

Amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, Beijing has floated a daring idea of a joint military drill with the Philippines, a country with which it has a longstanding maritime dispute.

The Philippine media reported the Chinese offer on Thursday, quoting Manila’s military chief.

State-run PTV reported that the offer was presented by China’s envoy to Manila to Philippines Armed Forces Chief Romeo Brawner.

Brawner was quoted by local media as saying, “They (the Chinese) said they submitted some white papers, we have to study."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-doksuri-lashes-philippines-as-china-and-taiwan-stay-alert-619883">Also read:&nbsp;Typhoon Doksuri lashes Philippines as China and Taiwan stay alert</a>

"We try to establish relations with armies, with armed forces around the world. This is one way for us to prevent war," Brawner said.

<h2>Offer made during ‘informal talks’</h2>

Military spokesperson Medel Aguilar later said that he was not aware of the white papers, adding that what Brawner said was based on the “informal” talks that he had with the Chinese envoy.

China’s offer comes at a time when Manila has been increasingly accusing Chinese forces of displaying aggression in the South China Sea.

China shares maritime disputes with several nations in the South China Sea, including the Philippines, while showing no regard for a 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling which declared China’s claims in the region totally baseless.

While Brawner failed to confirm whether or not a go-ahead would be given to the Chinese proposal, he made it clear that no such exercise would take place in the South China Sea.

<h2>Manila asserting sovereignty in the South China Sea</h2>

The development comes just months after it was reported in May that the Philippine coast guard was deploying five navigational buoys inside its 200-mile (322 km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea to assert the country’s sovereignty, much to China’s chagrin.

Watch:&nbsp;Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos meets US President Biden

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Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island, and Juan Felipe Reef were the five areas where the buoys were placed.

The Philippines has of late tried to fortify its relations with the US in the wake of the increasing Chinese aggression.&nbsp;

For instance, in early May, the Philippines and the US issued a joint statement calling on China to exercise restraint in the Taiwan Strait.

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Amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, Beijing has floated a daring idea of a joint military drill with the Philippines, a country with which it has a longstanding maritime dispute.

Amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, Beijing has floated a daring idea of a joint military drill with the Philippines, a country with which it has a longstanding maritime dispute. The Philippine media reported the Chinese offer on Thursday, quoting Manila’s military chief. State-run PTV reported that the offer was presented by China’s envoy to Manila to Philippines Armed Forces Chief Romeo Brawner. Brawner was quoted by local media as saying, “They (the Chinese) said they submitted some white papers, we have to study." Also read: Typhoon Doksuri lashes Philippines as China and Taiwan stay alert "We try to establish relations with armies, with armed forces around the world. This is one way for us to prevent war," Brawner said. Offer made during ‘informal talks’ Military spokesperson Medel Aguilar later said that he was not aware of the white papers, adding that what Brawner said was based on the “informal” talks that he had with the Chinese envoy. China’s offer comes at a time when Manila has been increasingly accusing Chinese forces of displaying aggression in the South China Sea. China shares maritime disputes with several nations in the South China Sea, including the Philippines, while showing no regard for a 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling which declared China’s claims in the region totally baseless. While Brawner failed to confirm whether or not a go-ahead would be given to the Chinese proposal, he made it clear that no such exercise would take place in the South China Sea. Manila asserting sovereignty in the South China Sea The development comes just months after it was reported in May that the Philippine coast guard was deploying five navigational buoys inside its 200-mile (322 km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea to assert the country’s sovereignty, much to China’s chagrin. Watch: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos meets US President Biden × Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island, and Juan Felipe Reef were the five areas where the buoys were placed. The Philippines has of late tried to fortify its relations with the US in the wake of the increasing Chinese aggression. For instance, in early May, the Philippines and the US issued a joint statement calling on China to exercise restraint in the Taiwan Strait. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Philippines cautious on joint drills with China after Beijing's South China Sea aggression

South China Sea is back in news, this time triggered by the most unlikely source. Vietnam has banned 'Barbie' movie over map of South China Sea and we are back to the realities of the real world and the South China Sea stand-off, which seemed to have not surfaced in the news for quite some time now. Fiery Cross Island, home to a Chinese military base, is a small island in the South China Sea that has been reclaimed by China.&nbsp;

The island, along with six other Chinese military outposts, were erected on artificial islands in the South China Sea, which are rich in natural resources such as 11 billion barrels of oil, 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 10% of the world's fisheries. The South China Sea is a significant body of water, and five nations now claim a portion of it.

The United States, the world's sole superpower, has taken note of China's presence in the South China Sea and has been defending international waterways with its vast fleet. China regards the US presence as an infringement on its territory and has used the "cabbage strategy" to construct artificial islands.

China's plan entails encircling disputed islands with as many ships as possible, a tactic known as "the cabbage strategy." This approach entails encircling contested islands with as many ships as possible, and China employs the cabbage technique to gradually take over contested territory. The South China Sea tensions are rising, with nations detaining trespassers and threatening to impose an air identification zone over the South China Sea. 
 
The United States is presently in a difficult position: it does not want to risk triggering a fight with China, but it also wants China to cease pressuring its regional allies.&nbsp;

Cut to today. Recently, according to a Xinhua story published on China Military Online, Xi Jinping, head of the Central Military Commission (CMC), issued an order recognising two outstanding military units and two people. One of the units is the CMC equipment development department's office, while the other is "a unit of Troop 92730 of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)" that received first-class merit citations.

According to a former PLA instructor quoted in a South China Morning Post (SCMP) investigation by Minnie Chan, the unit might be tied to the country's nuclear technology. &nbsp;

"We don't know what the Sanya-based troop was honoured for, but previous official information suggests it could be some achievements related to the country's nuclear submarine technology," SCMP cites Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor. &nbsp;

According to the SCMP, "recent commendations indicate Beijing's emphasis on strategic deterrence, with its nuclear capability needing to be enhanced in both quality and quantity." It is probable that Xi has tasked the PLA nuclear submarine unit with conducting strategic deterrent patrols in the South China Sea and abroad.

The US Department of Defence indicated in its 2022 report that China 'likely launched near-continuous at-sea deterrent patrols' in 2021. SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) reads this as conducting periodic patrols with nuclear weapons onboard, but with care because it would be "a significant change to the country's long-held practice of keeping nuclear warheads in central storage during peacetime," according to SIPRI. &nbsp;

China currently possesses six Type 094 submarines that can carry up to 12 three-stage, solid-fuelled Julang (JL) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) of two types: the JL-2 (CSS-N-14) and the JL-3 (CSS-N-20). 
&nbsp; 
According to SIPRI, China has also began building of its next-generation SSBN, the Type 096, which has a bigger hull and is quieter than the Type 094 and may be outfitted with additional missile-launch tubes. If the award to the equipment development department is tied to that of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) nuclear submarine unit, there is a potential of ties with nuclear weapons deployment aboard the sub - with or without matched warheads and ensured communication links. However, the same may be an unrelated achievement for which the unit was rewarded, therefore there is some question that requires proof.

Observing the relative developments in China's nuclear capability and posture, The SIPRI projected in its annual report that China increased the number of warheads from 350 to 410 in the past year and expects ongoing expansion of nuclear warheads to equal the United States. This comes even as Chinese government’s declared aim is to maintain minimum nuclear deterrent to safeguard national security, with the goal of ‘deterring other countries from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against China’. Nevertheless minimum is reasonably vague and undefined with the threshold expected to rise as China sees the nuclear competition with the vastly superior arsenal of the United States.&nbsp;

Despite continuing increase in the sophistication and size of China’s nuclear arsenal, there is no official public evidence that the Chinese government has deviated from its long-standing core nuclear policies, including its No First Use policy as per the SIPRI. According to the US Department of Defense's 2022 assessment, China is adopting a 'early warning counterstrike' plan, which is similar to a 'launch-on-warning' (LOW) posture or a modified NFU. This requires some validation and may be rash.

Since the 1950s, nuclear power plants (NPPs) have primarily been used for propulsion in submarines, aircraft carriers, and icebreakers. China has been the most promising prospect for an operating floating NPP since 2016. China plans to build 20 floating nuclear power plants in the South China Sea by 2025. The primary issue was land scarcity on China-controlled islands making the civilian settlement development impossible with the military presence. The new outposts solve the land scarcity problems, these floating NPPs will increase China's military presence on these islands significantly. At least one partially completed project supported by the People's Liberation Army demonstrates China's military ambition in this direction.

Is this a message to the United States? Should this raise tensions? Tensions between the United States and China have risen in the last year or two, notably in relation to Taiwan, after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei in 2022. The PLA Air Force and PLA Navy make frequent incursions into Taiwan's air defence zone and the Taiwan Straits. China has also been opposed to the United States' Freedom of Navigation Operations in these seas. China's aggressive wolf warrior diplomacy has signaled that the government will pursue the road of unification with Taiwan, while purposefully leaving the military option open. The expansion of the US strategic alliance in the area, as well as US IndoPacom military action, have recently irritated China.

The nuclear submarine patrol or the upgrade of sea-based deterrent, both indicative of the purpose for the award, may be a statement to the US of the boundaries to which China may go if pressed hard on Taiwan. The Pentagon Annual Report on PLA Capabilities will have to be awaited for an American assessment of the development. China strengthening the artificial outposts with nuclear capabilities brings us to combine the ‘Nuclear deterrence strategy’ with &nbsp;the ‘Cabbage Strategy’ making us coin the term ‘Nuclear Cabbage Strategy’. The world needs to be serious about it nonetheless, as it’s no laughing matter.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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South China Sea is back in news, this time triggered by the most unlikely source. Vietnam has banned 'Barbie' movie over map of South China Sea and we are back to the realities of the real world and the South China Sea stand-off, which seemed to have not surfaced in the news for quite some time now.

South China Sea is back in news, this time triggered by the most unlikely source. Vietnam has banned 'Barbie' movie over map of South China Sea and we are back to the realities of the real world and the South China Sea stand-off, which seemed to have not surfaced in the news for quite some time now. Fiery Cross Island, home to a Chinese military base, is a small island in the South China Sea that has been reclaimed by China. The island, along with six other Chinese military outposts, were erected on artificial islands in the South China Sea, which are rich in natural resources such as 11 billion barrels of oil, 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 10% of the world's fisheries. The South China Sea is a significant body of water, and five nations now claim a portion of it. The United States, the world's sole superpower, has taken note of China's presence in the South China Sea and has been defending international waterways with its vast fleet. China regards the US presence as an infringement on its territory and has used the "cabbage strategy" to construct artificial islands. China's plan entails encircling disputed islands with as many ships as possible, a tactic known as "the cabbage strategy." This approach entails encircling contested islands with as many ships as possible, and China employs the cabbage technique to gradually take over contested territory. The South China Sea tensions are rising, with nations detaining trespassers and threatening to impose an air identification zone over the South China Sea. The United States is presently in a difficult position: it does not want to risk triggering a fight with China, but it also wants China to cease pressuring its regional allies. Cut to today. Recently, according to a Xinhua story published on China Military Online, Xi Jinping, head of the Central Military Commission (CMC), issued an order recognising two outstanding military units and two people. One of the units is the CMC equipment development department's office, while the other is "a unit of Troop 92730 of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)" that received first-class merit citations. According to a former PLA instructor quoted in a South China Morning Post (SCMP) investigation by Minnie Chan, the unit might be tied to the country's nuclear technology. "We don't know what the Sanya-based troop was honoured for, but previous official information suggests it could be some achievements related to the country's nuclear submarine technology," SCMP cites Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor. According to the SCMP, "recent commendations indicate Beijing's emphasis on strategic deterrence, with its nuclear capability needing to be enhanced in both quality and quantity." It is probable that Xi has tasked the PLA nuclear submarine unit with conducting strategic deterrent patrols in the South China Sea and abroad. The US Department of Defence indicated in its 2022 report that China 'likely launched near-continuous at-sea deterrent patrols' in 2021. SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) reads this as conducting periodic patrols with nuclear weapons onboard, but with care because it would be "a significant change to the country's long-held practice of keeping nuclear warheads in central storage during peacetime," according to SIPRI. China currently possesses six Type 094 submarines that can carry up to 12 three-stage, solid-fuelled Julang (JL) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) of two types: the JL-2 (CSS-N-14) and the JL-3 (CSS-N-20). According to SIPRI, China has also began building of its next-generation SSBN, the Type 096, which has a bigger hull and is quieter than the Type 094 and may be outfitted with additional missile-launch tubes. If the award to the equipment development department is tied to that of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) nuclear submarine unit, there is a potential of ties with nuclear weapons deployment aboard the sub - with or without matched warheads and ensured communication links. However, the same may be an unrelated achievement for which the unit was rewarded, therefore there is some question that requires proof. Observing the relative developments in China's nuclear capability and posture, The SIPRI projected in its annual report that China increased the number of warheads from 350 to 410 in the past year and expects ongoing expansion of nuclear warheads to equal the United States. This comes even as Chinese government’s declared aim is to maintain minimum nuclear deterrent to safeguard national security, with the goal of ‘deterring other countries from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against China’. Nevertheless minimum is reasonably vague and undefined with the threshold expected to rise as China sees the nuclear competition with the vastly superior arsenal of the United States. Despite continuing increase in the sophistication and size of China’s nuclear arsenal, there is no official public evidence that the Chinese government has deviated from its long-standing core nuclear policies, including its No First Use policy as per the SIPRI. According to the US Department of Defense's 2022 assessment, China is adopting a 'early warning counterstrike' plan, which is similar to a 'launch-on-warning' (LOW) posture or a modified NFU. This requires some validation and may be rash. Since the 1950s, nuclear power plants (NPPs) have primarily been used for propulsion in submarines, aircraft carriers, and icebreakers. China has been the most promising prospect for an operating floating NPP since 2016. China plans to build 20 floating nuclear power plants in the South China Sea by 2025. The primary issue was land scarcity on China-controlled islands making the civilian settlement development impossible with the military presence. The new outposts solve the land scarcity problems, these floating NPPs will increase China's military presence on these islands significantly. At least one partially completed project supported by the People's Liberation Army demonstrates China's military ambition in this direction. Is this a message to the United States? Should this raise tensions? Tensions between the United States and China have risen in the last year or two, notably in relation to Taiwan, after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei in 2022. The PLA Air Force and PLA Navy make frequent incursions into Taiwan's air defence zone and the Taiwan Straits. China has also been opposed to the United States' Freedom of Navigation Operations in these seas. China's aggressive wolf warrior diplomacy has signaled that the government will pursue the road of unification with Taiwan, while purposefully leaving the military option open. The expansion of the US strategic alliance in the area, as well as US IndoPacom military action, have recently irritated China. The nuclear submarine patrol or the upgrade of sea-based deterrent, both indicative of the purpose for the award, may be a statement to the US of the boundaries to which China may go if pressed hard on Taiwan. The Pentagon Annual Report on PLA Capabilities will have to be awaited for an American assessment of the development. China strengthening the artificial outposts with nuclear capabilities brings us to combine the ‘Nuclear deterrence strategy’ with the ‘Cabbage Strategy’ making us coin the term ‘Nuclear Cabbage Strategy’. The world needs to be serious about it nonetheless, as it’s no laughing matter. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

China employs 'nuclear cabbage' strategy for dominance in South China Sea

China will soon launch two multi-role frigates, media reports claimed referring to new imagery, which suggests that the production of the next-generation frigate for the Chinese Navy (PLAN) is now underway in Guangzhou. A Weibo user shared several photos.&nbsp;

A report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) mentioned that news regarding the Chinese navy showing the hull of a Type 054B frigate was circulating on social media. A frigate is a type of warship, but it keeps changing with variations in its roles and capabilities in different eras.&nbsp;

A Type 054B frigate is a bigger and faster version of the Type 054A now in service. The report mentioned that the frigate was prepared to be rolled out from the dry dock of a shipyard. China plans to launch two Type 054B frigates by the end of this year.&nbsp;

The visibility of over half of the hull suggested that the ship would soon be launched. Referring to the photos, the report added that the banners hung on the sides of the dry dock stated that the photographs were shot at the Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard, a subsidiary of the Guangzhou-based China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).&nbsp;

As quoted by the report, Lu Li-shih, who is a former instructor at Taiwan's Naval Academy in Kaohsiung, said: "The shape of the bulkhead board and the island control tower suggest that the vessel is a mini version of the Type 055 destroyer." Lu was referring to the Renhai-class stealth-guided missile destroyer with a displacement of more than 12,000 tonnes.&nbsp;

Lu &nbsp;added, "It's an entirely new frigate – not just faster and bigger than the Type 054A, but it has also adopted some new advanced technologies from the Type 055 cruiser."

The SCMP report mentioned that Type 055 is the world's second-most powerful destroyer after the US Navy's DDG-1000, or Zumwalt class.&nbsp;

It is equipped with an integrated mast and powerful radar systems and&nbsp;has been dubbed the "bodyguard" of Chinese aircraft carriers.&nbsp;

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China will soon launch two multi-role frigates, media reports claimed referring to new imagery, which suggests that the production of the next-generation frigate for the Chinese Navy (PLAN) is now underway in Guangzhou.

China will soon launch two multi-role frigates, media reports claimed referring to new imagery, which suggests that the production of the next-generation frigate for the Chinese Navy (PLAN) is now underway in Guangzhou. A Weibo user shared several photos. A report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) mentioned that news regarding the Chinese navy showing the hull of a Type 054B frigate was circulating on social media. A frigate is a type of warship, but it keeps changing with variations in its roles and capabilities in different eras. A Type 054B frigate is a bigger and faster version of the Type 054A now in service. The report mentioned that the frigate was prepared to be rolled out from the dry dock of a shipyard. China plans to launch two Type 054B frigates by the end of this year. The visibility of over half of the hull suggested that the ship would soon be launched. Referring to the photos, the report added that the banners hung on the sides of the dry dock stated that the photographs were shot at the Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard, a subsidiary of the Guangzhou-based China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). As quoted by the report, Lu Li-shih, who is a former instructor at Taiwan's Naval Academy in Kaohsiung, said: "The shape of the bulkhead board and the island control tower suggest that the vessel is a mini version of the Type 055 destroyer." Lu was referring to the Renhai-class stealth-guided missile destroyer with a displacement of more than 12,000 tonnes. Lu added, "It's an entirely new frigate – not just faster and bigger than the Type 054A, but it has also adopted some new advanced technologies from the Type 055 cruiser." The SCMP report mentioned that Type 055 is the world's second-most powerful destroyer after the US Navy's DDG-1000, or Zumwalt class. It is equipped with an integrated mast and powerful radar systems and has been dubbed the "bodyguard" of Chinese aircraft carriers. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

More muscle to China's aircraft carrier groups as it plans to add two multi-role frigates

The top diplomats of Southeast Asian countries are meeting in the capital, Jakarta, for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet. The grouping will discuss issues spanning from Myanmar to the South China Sea.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet: Myanmar, South China Sea dispute to dominate talks

Philippines flagged an unprecedented show of maritime assertion by China after dozens of Chinese fishing vessels were seen being escorted by the Chinese Coast Guard and Navy near the Iroquois Reef and the Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea that Manila claims as its own as part of its exclusive economic zone.

Philippines flagged an unprecedented show of maritime assertion by China after dozens of Chinese fishing vessels were seen being escorted by the Chinese Coast Guard and Navy near the Iroquois Reef and the Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea that Manila claims as its own as part of its exclusive economic zone. China refers to the West Philippine Sea as the South China Sea and the dispute has been internationalised by the latter nomenclature. China-Philippines tensions: Latest escalation The Filipino military's Western Command (WESCOM) issued a statement earlier this week that said that the number of Chinese fishing vessels "swarming" the Iroquois Reef rose to 47 in June 2023. "China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights," Ariel Coloma, spokesperson for the Western Command, said in an official statement. Also watch | US-Philippines exercise in South China sea; China irked by America's growing presence in sea × The Philippine military said their flights had also recorded the presence of three China Coast Guard ships and two Chinese navy vessels "regularly loitering" at Sabina Shoal, which is inside the country’s special economic zone. "These developments raise alarming concerns about China's intentions and actions within these disputed waters," WESCOM said. Open Source Intelligence Monitor on social media said that the area is close to the oil and natural gas-rich Reed Tablemount. Philippines' rights over West Philippine Sea internationally recognised The Philippines won a landmark arbitration case in 2016 that invalidated China's expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea that Beijing continues to designate as the South China Sea. According to trade figures published by Reuters, about $3 trillion worth of sea-borne goods pass through the disputed maritime region every year. Also read | Did China operate 'balloons' to spy on several countries, including India and Japan? The ruling, which treaty ally the United States backs and China refuses to recognise, clarified Philippine sovereign rights in its 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to access offshore oil and gas fields, including the Reed Bank, where a natural gas exploration project operated by Philippine firm PXP Energy Corp has been stalled. In recent years, satellite imagery has shown China’s increased efforts to reclaim land in the West Philippine Sea by physically increasing the size of islands or creating new artificial islands altogether. Beijing has literally piled sand onto existing reefs, and constructed ports, military installations, and airstrips. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Philippines accuses China of violating its special economic zone with 'swarming' fishing vessels

The joint communique issued by India & the US takes an indirect aim at China. It stresses on the importance of freedom of navigation & overflight in the East & South China seas. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Is China the driving factor behind India, US closeness?

China has established a new research port in the South China Sea. The nation says that the port will serve the interests of national defence. What does this mean for the world? Molly Gambhir gives you the details.

Gravitas: China builds a new research port in the South China Sea

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