China accuses the Philippines of carrying out an “illegal landing” on a disputed reef

March 21. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Chinese authorities have accused this Thursday more than thirty members of the Philippine Coast Guard of “ignoring the alerts” of the Chinese coast guard and “illegally disembarking” on Sandy Cay, a reef located in the Spratly Islands, in the waters in the South China Sea dispute.

Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said 34 people had landed in the northern part of the islands, known in China as Nansha and Kapuluan in the Philippines. However, he has pointed out that the coast guard has managed to manage the matter “in accordance with current legislation.”

“China undisputedly possesses sovereignty over the islands, including the reef and its adjacent waters, and has sufficient historical evidence for this,” Gan said, according to a statement. “The Philippines' actions infringe on Chinese territorial sovereignty, violate the joint declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea, and undermine peace and stability.”

The Coast Guard has shown its opposition to these “illegal actions” and has stated that “it will continue with its actions to protect its rights and activities in the waters that are under its jurisdiction, as established by regulations.”

This latest incident is part of an increase in tension between China and the Philippines as the parties continue to assert their sovereignty over the area. Beijing has repeatedly blocked the Philippines' attempts to deliver supplies to military personnel deployed on a warship stranded since 1999 on Ayungin Atoll in the Spratly Islands.

The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has recently shown himself willing to cooperate with China despite the increase in tensions between both countries, as long as “Philippine sovereignty is not at stake”, especially in the South China Sea. .

However, it has accused China of “aggressive acts” in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, including the use of water cannons and “collision tactics” to drive Philippine ships away from areas Beijing considers its territory. Under him, the Philippines has nearly doubled the number of military bases accessible to US forces, including three new sites off Taiwan.