Philippines: "China installs buoy barriers in South China Sea dispute area, obstructing fishing operations"

China has installed buoy barriers at the Scarborough Shoal (Chinese name Huangyan Dao), a disputed maritime area with the Philippines in the South China Sea, prompting strong protests from the Philippine government. In addition to installing the buoys, China has also dispatched patrol vessels, reportedly obstructing Filipino fishermen's operations, raising concerns that the territorial dispute between the two countries will intensify further.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

According to CNN on the 24th (local time), the Philippine government strongly criticized China for installing buoy barriers around the Scarborough Shoal and controlling access for nearby fishermen. Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, stated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "We strongly condemn China's installation of obstacles near the Scarborough Shoal," adding, "This blocks Filipino fishing boats from entering and disrupts the fishermen's fishing activities and livelihoods."

Earlier, on the 22nd, personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources reportedly discovered a floating obstacle estimated to be 300 meters long near the Scarborough Shoal during a routine patrol. The Philippine Coast Guard also revealed that when Filipino fishing boats began operations in the nearby waters, four Chinese coast guard vessels sent 15 radio messages attempting to drive the boats away.

Spokesperson Tarriela emphasized, "The Philippines will closely cooperate with all relevant government agencies to resolve this issue, uphold maritime rights, and protect maritime territories." CNN reported that the Chinese government has not yet issued any comment on the matter.

The maritime territorial dispute between China and the Philippines has intensified this year. Both countries have competitively installed buoys in the disputed areas of the South China Sea, each claiming the disputed waters as their exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Earlier, when the Philippine Coast Guard installed buoys near five reefs in the disputed South China Sea area in May to declare their EEZ, the Chinese government also installed buoys at three locations around the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands). There are growing concerns that diplomatic tensions between the two countries will further escalate.