Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin protested the same day to the Chinese Communist Party against the large number of Chinese fishing boats moored in the waters of disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea, AFP reported on March 22.
The Philippine government confirmed on Sunday that more than 200 armed Chinese vessels were spotted moored in formation on March 7 within 175 nautical miles off NiuYue Reef, and the Philippines demanded that the Chinese side immediately withdraw these vessels that violate the Philippines’ maritime sovereignty.
But the request was described as “normal” by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, who said the fishing boats were “sheltering from the storm” and “have been fishing here for a long Time.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary John S. Lochin confirmed via Twitter on the same day that the Philippines has protested to the Chinese Communist Party in this regard.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs stressed that the continued deployment and presence of Chinese vessels is a serious violation of Philippine sovereignty, and that the massive and threatening presence of the Chinese Communist Party is contrary to its own commitment to maintain regional stability.
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