Why is a Chinese research ship the latest flashpoint with Philippines in South China Sea?
Beijing and Manila trade accusations after incident near Iroquois Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands this week
In a statement issued on Thursday night, the China Coast Guard (CCG) said a Philippine Coast Guard Islander aircraft had “deliberately approached and harassed” China’s Xiang Yang Hong 33 scientific research vessel on Wednesday while the ship was conducting a “legitimate marine ecological survey” near Iroquois Reef.
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CCG spokesman Jiang Lue said the Chinese side tracked and monitored the Philippine aircraft and handled the situation “in accordance with laws and regulations”, with manoeuvres that were “professional and standardised throughout the whole process”.
“We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop illegal harassment, smearing and inflammatory propaganda,” he added.
Jiang’s comments came hours after his Philippine counterpart, Jay Tarriela, issued a statement on social media. It said that on Wednesday, the Philippines had sent an Islander 4177 surveillance aircraft on a routine maritime domain awareness mission – designed to detect, track and identify vessels and activities at sea – “specifically” challenging China’s Xiang Yang Hong 33.
Tarriela accused the Chinese oceanographic research vessel of conducting “unauthorised” marine scientific research operations.