According to Taiwan Central News Agency (TCA) on May 3, diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China continue to be tense. After the Philippine defense secretary ignored Beijing’s warning a few days ago and indicated that military exercises would continue in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Lotsin made another strong statement this Monday against Chinese “fishing boats” stranded in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, demanding that the Chinese side The Philippines’ foreign minister, Mr. Lodzin, said in a tweet on Monday that the Chinese “fishing boats” were stranded in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Philippine Foreign Minister Lurchin tweeted on the same day: “China, my friend, how politely should I say it? Let’s see…oooh…GET THE FXXX OUT.” He also stressed that the usual civilized diplomatic rhetoric is no longer the answer.
A screenshot of Philippine Foreign Minister Lurchin’s tweet
Tensions between the two countries have also reportedly escalated again after the Philippine government found as many as 200 armed Chinese fishing boats massing in its exclusive economic waters in March this year, and has continuously asked Chinese vessels to leave.
In a statement on Monday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemned Chinese maritime police vessels for tailing and blocking Philippine coast guard vessels near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, as well as for their dangerous behavior and interference with the radio communications of Philippine vessels. The statement stressed that the presence of Chinese vessels in the said waters is a “blatant violation of Philippine sovereignty”.
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