MANILA - The Philippines will continue patrolling the Spratlys in the South China Sea, ignoring a warning from China to stop"illegal provocations" in waters around the disputed island chain.
That was Beijing's response after Manila lodged a diplomatic protest over what it said was China's illegal confiscation of fish aggregating devices from Filipino fishermen in a disputed lagoon held by Beijing in the South China Sea. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian last Friday responded by saying the Philippines was the one"infringing on China's sovereignty and security" with its patrols around the Spratlys.
"So fine, let them say that. They can call it illegal provocations. You can't change their mind," he said."They are the ones who have been doing provocations by illegally occupying some features within our EEZ. Hence, they have no right to claim they are enforcing their laws," Mr Lorenzana said on Sunday , referring to the Philippines' exclusive economic zone .
Mr Locsin on Wednesday also insisted that President Rodrigo Duterte was not"kowtowing" to China and had, in fact, once confronted Chinese President Xi Jinping about his nation's claims over nearly all of the South China Sea.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »