China’s military said it had “effectively stopped” a Philippine Navy ship from entering waters near a disputed South China Sea shoal – an encounter Manila described as “reckless” and “dangerous”.
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In a Thursday statement, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command, which oversees the South China Sea, said the Philippine warship BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) had attempted to intrude into Chinese territorial waters near Scarborough Shoal – known as Huangyan Island in China – on Monday.
Naval and air forces were dispatched to monitor, warn, and expel the ship, according to the statement.
“The scene was handled with strict adherence to law and regulations, in a professional and standardised manner,” said Senior Colonel Tian Junli, the command’s spokesman. He said the PLA had “forcefully and effectively stopped the incursion”. Tian also accused Manila of “distorting facts and misleading international perception”.
“Scarborough Shoal is China’s inherent territory,” Tian added. “We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop infringing and provocative acts, and to cease hyping and distorting the facts.”
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Manila also addressed the incident in a statement on Thursday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines accused China of “harassment” and “dangerous manoeuvres”, stating the incident occurred just 11.8 nautical miles (22km or 14 miles) southeast of the shoal.