The Philippine coast guard on Friday accused a Chinese ship of carrying out
"dangerous maneuvers"
aimed at preventing Filipino scientists from reaching a reef in the South China Sea disputed by Beijing and Manila.
The incident occurred Thursday in the Sandy Cay reef area, a few kilometers from the Philippine islet of Thitu in the Spratly archipelago, claimed by the two countries and several other countries bordering the South China Sea. .
A Philippine office was transporting a team of scientists to the reef when a Chinese coast guard vessel approached the vessel and sounded a siren for more than thirty minutes to warn
"Chinese maritime militias"
in the area, according to Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela.
The Chinese coast guard, for its part, indicated Thursday that 34 Filipinos had
“illegally”
landed on the reef, called Tiexian Jiao by China and Pagasa Cay 2 by the Philippines.
Four hours on the reef
“(Chinese) law enforcement agents”
landed
on the reef where they
“investigated and took control of (the situation)
,” said Gan Yu, spokesperson for the Chinese coast guard in a statement.
A version of the facts contested by Jay Tarriela who assures that the team of scientists was able to carry out their mission after spending four hours on the reef, despite the presence of ships and a Chinese helicopter.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands near the coasts of several neighboring countries, despite an international court ruling in 2016.
The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim several reefs and islets in this sea, some areas of which could contain rich oil reserves.
Relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated since the 2022 election of President Marcos, who decided to strengthen ties with the United States, the country's traditional allies, and oppose Beijing's actions in the China Sea southern.