Philippines "Will Protect Fishermen" Amid Rising Tensions with China in the South China Sea

China Pushes Ahead with 'Foreign Detainee' Policy
Philippines "Ignored"... Tensions Rise

Chinese Coast Guard vessel firing water cannon at a Philippine supply ship in the South China Sea territorial dispute area in December last year (Photo by Yonhap News)

China has unilaterally decided to detain foreigners entering the South China Sea starting from the 15th, but the Philippines has chosen to ignore this, escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

According to foreign media on the 15th (local time), Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, urged Filipino fishermen to continue fishing in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the South China Sea regardless of China's policy. Chief Brawner told reporters, "The message to our fishermen is not to be afraid and to continue their usual activities in our EEZ."

He added, "We have the right to utilize the resources in that area, so our fishermen have no reason to be afraid." He also mentioned that the Philippine government is "discussing various measures to protect our fishermen."

Last month, China announced that starting June 15, the Chinese Coast Guard would enforce regulations allowing it to detain foreigners and foreign vessels entering waters claimed by China in the South China Sea for up to 60 days.

However, the Philippine government has clearly stated its refusal of China's unilateral inclusion of the Philippine EEZ, deeming it baseless. The Philippine Navy and Coast Guard have decided to increase vessel deployments in disputed areas such as the Scarborough Shoal (Chinese name Huangyan Dao) within the Spratly Islands, a representative territorial dispute zone against China.

Other countries besides the Philippines are also opposing China's announcement. The Taiwan Coast Guard recently issued a statement regarding China's policy, saying, "We will strengthen our mission to protect fishermen, firmly safeguard the safety of our fishermen's fishing activities, guarantee maritime rights and interests, and defend sovereignty."

The U.S. Department of State expressed concern that if China proceeds with enforcing the regulation, it would significantly escalate tensions and harm peace and security in the region. The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) also declared in a joint statement from their summit the previous day, "We oppose the dangerous use of China's Coast Guard and maritime militias in the South China Sea and the repeated interference with freedom of navigation in international waters by all countries."