China patrols at disputed shoal; Manila summons Beijing’s envoy

The combat readiness patrols took place days after Beijing delimited its territorial sea around the shoal.

Nov 13, 2024 - 17:00

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China patrols at disputed shoal; Manila summons Beijing’s envoy

Updated on Nov. 13, 2024 at 5:59 a.m. ET

China on Wednesday conducted combat readiness patrols at the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea to reinforce its claim while Manila summoned China’s envoy to protest against its marking of a baseline around the disputed reef, media reported.

The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said in a statement that it “organized naval and air forces to conduct combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters and airspace of China’s Huangyan Island and surrounding areas.” The command referred to the reef by its Chinese name.

The patrols were carried out “in accordance with the law,” the command added.

On Sunday, the Chinese unilaterally delimited and announced baselines around Scraborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs about 125 nautical miles (232 kilometers) from Luzon, the main Philippine island. The shoal, known in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc, is claimed by China, the Philippines and Taiwan, but has been under Beijing’s de-facto control since 2012.

By delimiting the baselines, China claims the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea and airspace around the shoal that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Beijing requires foreign vessels to report their presence to the China Maritime Administration when entering its territorial seas.

The Philippines has yet to react to the news of the patrols, but the Philippine Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns on Tuesday protested against the Chinese baselines announcement, calling it a violation of “the Philippines’ long-established sovereignty over the shoal.”

On Wednesday, the Philippines summoned China’s ambassador to reinforce its protest.

“The said baselines infringe upon Philippine sovereignty and contravene international law,” media cited the ministry saying in a statement.

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‘Victim of Chinese aggression’

On Tuesday, Philippine defense minister Gilberto Teodoro said that China was stepping up pressure on his country to concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, adding that the Philippines was a “victim of Chinese aggression.”

A Chinese spokesman blamed Manila.

“Every escalation of maritime disputes between China and the Philippines was triggered by the infringement activities and provocations of the Philippines,” said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian.

“It was the Philippines who took infringement activities first and China had to take necessary measures in accordance with law to safeguard our lawful rights and interests,” the spokesperson added. “If the Philippines stops infringement activities and provocations, there will be no trouble at sea.”

There has been no reported Philippine drills at Scarborough Shoal but the Chinese military regularly holds patrols here, the last time in September.

Updates with Philippines summons ambassador.

Edited by Taejun Kang.