China accused of gaslighting Philippines over South China Sea maritime militia
"Western Countries Send Ships to South China Sea in Pushback Against Beijing "The Dispute About the South China Sea Is Also a Dispute About History and America's Role" "
An international incident is unfolding after hundreds of Chinese “fishing” boats pitched up on a reef. The problem is they’re not fishing.
Jamie Seidel March 28, 2021 6:44pm
Video 1:03 news.com.au China's new navy fleet will rival U.S. and Russia The Chinese Navy is set for a large build up in its warship strength.
There are fears a mass incursion of Beijing’s secretive ‘Maritime Militia’ into a South China Sea reef may lead to the construction of yet another artificial island fortress.
“China is gaslighting us,” Philippines senator Risa Hontiveros declared Wednesday. “China is making it appear as if we are hallucinating. We are tired of their attempts to twist the truth for the sake of advancing their self-interests. China has stolen from us, and now she is lying to us.”
Australia, the United States and Japan have added their voice to international protests over the breach of Manila’s claimed exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Some 220 “fishing boats” were counted inside Whitsun Reef on March 7, with 183 still there on March 19. Philippines authorities report little change since then.
The trawlers are parked within the arc of the strategically positioned reef.
Their blue and white hulls are in pristine condition.
They’re paraded in neat rows.
They’ve been stationary for weeks.
The weather has been great.
[...]
Manila at the weekend issued a formal diplomatic protest to Beijing over their “intimidating” presence. But China’s embassy in Manila rejected any suggestion the boats were anything other than fishing vessels seeking shelter from storms.
But suspicions remain high.
Their presence follows a well-established pattern of behaviour.
“The reclamation of reefs and conversion of artificial islands were always preceded by massive destructive fishing efforts as if to extract whatever valuables there were from the area before burying it with sand and paving it with concrete,” Dr Batongbacal warns.
WEAPONISED FISHING
Outspoken Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr on Wednesday asserted that Whitsun Reef was “not an island; should not be made one by reclamation in legally ludicrous attempt to turn it into one generating an EZZ that swallows Palawan (a large island that forms part of mainland Philippines)”.
[...]
The US embassy on Tuesday expressed support for Manila. It noted that Beijing “uses maritime militia to intimidate, provoke and threaten other nations, which undermines peace and security in the region.” An embassy spokeswoman said the US had been monitoring Chinese vessels in the area “for many months in ever-increasing numbers, regardless of the weather”.
Japan issued a diplomatic statement expressing its opposition to any action that destabilises the South China Sea status quo. And Australia has also expressed its support for Manila.
Ambassador Steven Robinson tweeted that Canberra was “concerned about destabilising actions that could provoke escalation.”
“Australia supports an #IndoPacific region which is secure and inclusive,” he wrote. “The South China Sea — a crucial international waterway — is governed by international rules and norms, particularly the Unclos.”
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
