Manila, Philippines
The Philippines has accused China’s coast guard of installing a “floating barrier” in a South China Sea disputed area, preventing Filipinos from entering and fishing there. The Philippines’ coast guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources strongly condemn China’s installation of the barrier in part of the Scarborough Shoal, which stretches 300 meters (1,000 feet) long.
The barrier restricts Filipino fishing boats from entering the shoal, thereby affecting their fishing and livelihood activities. China claims 90% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The Chinese embassy in Manila has not yet provided a response to inquiries for comment.
