00:00On Tuesday, the Philippines lodged accusations against China's Coast Guard, alleging harassment
00:11and damage to one of its boats within a disputed section of the South China Sea.
00:16The Philippines rejected China's assertion that it had expelled two vessels from the
00:20contested shore.
00:21According to the Philippine Coast Guard, its two vessels remained steadfast at the Scarborough
00:27Shore, a significant focal point in the South China Sea dispute.
00:31However, one of the Philippine boats incurred damage due to the deployment of water cannons
00:35by two Chinese Coast Guard ships.
00:39This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard
00:44in their harassment of the Philippine vessels, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jai Tariella
00:50said in a statement.
00:52They were not deterred and will persist in carrying out their legitimate operations to
00:56support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety, he added.
01:00The Scarborough Shore, strategically situated and rich in marine resources, holds significance
01:05as a prime fishing ground utilised by multiple nations and lies adjacent to major shipping
01:10routes.
01:11While no country holds sovereignty over this area, it falls within the Exclusive Economic
01:16Zone of the Philippines.
01:18Despite this, China has maintained occupation of the atoll for over a decade, with disputes
01:23frequently arising around its lagoon, known as a shelter for vessels during storms.
01:28Recent years have seen numerous confrontations in these waters.
01:31China's Coast Guard confirmed the expulsion of vessels but offered no further details
01:36regarding the incident.
01:37The Philippine vessel BRP Bagikai reported damage to its railing and canopy, while China
01:43has installed a floating barrier at the entrance of the shore, effectively limiting access
01:47to the area, as stated by Tariella.
01:51Accusations of illegal activities at the shore have been exchanged between the two countries,
01:56prompting the Philippines to summon a Chinese diplomat to address what it perceives as aggressive
02:01manoeuvres.
02:02China often alleges Philippine infringement on its territorial rights.
02:07Despite previous agreements to enhance communication and management of conflicts in the expansive
02:12South China Sea, tensions have escalated, particularly as the Philippines strengthens
02:17diplomatic and military ties with the US.
02:21China's territorial claims in the South China Sea cover almost its entirety, a crucial
02:25route for over $3 trillion in annual maritime trade.
02:29These claims overlap with territories claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia
02:34and Brunei.
02:35In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's expansive claims lacked
02:40legal basis, a decision Beijing has refused to acknowledge.
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