Philippines accuses China of ‘dangerous manoeuvres’ in South China Sea
Al JazeeraThe latest incident took place near Thitu Island, which was occupied by the Philippines in the 1970s and is home to about 400 people. The Philippines has accused China of conducting “dangerous manoeuvres” in the disputed South China Sea after a Chinese navy ship shadowed a Philippine navy vessel and tried to cross its path. “China must immediately halt these unsafe actions and conduct themselves in a professional manner by adhering to international law.” The Philippines and China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea, have had several encounters in recent months in areas within Manila’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. General Romeo Brawner, the chief of staff of the Philippines Armed Forces, urged China to stop its “dangerous manoeuvres and aggressive actions towards Philippine vessels”, which he said risked causing a collision and endangering “the lives of maritime personnel from both sides”. The statement from the Philippines described Beijing’s presence near Thitu Island as “illegal” and said its actions breached international law.