Philippines Defends Ship’s Presence at Shoal After China Protest
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The Philippines has defended the presence of one of its vessels near a South China Sea shoal, saying the area is in its territory, despite Beijing’s claim that the ship “infringes” China’s sovereignty.
The Philippine Coast Guard said it has the right to sail in the waters near the shoal after Beijing protested its presence and sought its immediate withdrawal. China said on Friday that the Philippine vessel entered the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao, its term for Escoda Shoal, “without permission and has been there for a long time, which seriously infringes on China’s sovereignty.”