South China Sea: Beijing says it removed sea barrier voluntarily despite Manila’s claim ‘special operation’ cut cordon
- Philippines on Monday said its ‘special operation’ ordered by the president cut a 300-metre cordon installed by China off Scarborough Shoal
- Chinese coastguard spokesman insists it ‘took the initiative to retrieve the blocking facilities and resume normal control on September 23’
“The official vessel of the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) illegally entered the waters near China’s Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government,” Gan Yu, a spokesman for the China Coast Guard, said late on Wednesday, using the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.
“[China] temporarily deployed blocking nets in response to the intrusion of the Philippine vessel into the lagoon, and then took the initiative to retrieve the blocking facilities and resume normal control on September 23.”
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Philippine coastguard removes Chinese barrier at disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea
“The so-called dismantling of the Chinese barrier is a complete fabrication of facts and a self-induced drama directed by the Philippines,” Gan said in the statement.
Gan also said China would continue to carry out activities in the waters and “resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty and maritime rights”.
