y’s coast.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it had lodged a diplomatic protest over the incident, which occurred last month near Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea. According to the Philippine government, Chinese vessels had been conducting swarming activities near the reef, prompting the deployment of patrol vessels from the Philippines to monitor the situation.
Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa Island, is one of the largest features in the Spratly Islands archipelago, which is claimed by multiple countries in the region, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The island is home to a small Filipino community and a military garrison, and has been a source of tension between the Philippines and China for decades.
The Philippines has accused China of infringing on its sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, where Beijing has been asserting its claims to almost the entire waterway. The two countries have long-standing territorial disputes in the region, and tensions have escalated in recent years as China has expanded its military presence in the area and built artificial islands to reinforce its claims.
In response to the incident near Thitu Island, the Philippines has called on China to respect its sovereignty and comply with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Philippine government has also reiterated its commitment to peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea through diplomatic means, and has called for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
The latest incident near Thitu Island is just one of many confrontations between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. The two countries have clashed over fishing rights, construction activities, and military patrols in the disputed waters, and tensions have periodically flared up into maritime standoffs and diplomatic rows. The Philippines has sought the support of its allies, including the United States and Japan, in challenging China’s claims in the region and defending its territorial integrity.
