China described as “risky” the recent resupply missions of a Philippine-flagged aircraft to Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement on Thursday, China Coast Guard (CCG) Spokesperson Gan Yu said they monitored the entire process of the said resupply mission for BRP Teresa Magbanua and dealt with it, according to its own regulations.
“A Philippine H-145 helicopter dropped supplies to the Philippine Coast Guard ship No. 9701, which was illegally stranded in Xianbin Reef, China,” said Yu, referring to the BRP Teresa Magbanua and the Chinese name for Escoda Shoal.
China claimed this ‘risky behavior’ can easily lead to accidents at sea and in the air, accusing the Philippines of infringing in its airspace.
Yu also said that the Magbanua can maneuver and evacuate on its own, and related problems can be easily solved.
The CCG also reiterated that the Philippines committed “adventurous infringement” in the name of “humanitarianism” in China’s territorial sovereignty.
“We are telling the Philippines to immediately stop its adventurous behavior and sensationalism, immediately withdraw the 9701 ship on its own, and not to misjudge the situation or escalate the situation. Otherwise, the Philippines will be fully responsible for all consequences,” Yu added.
Escoda or Sabina Shoal is located 140 kilometers (86 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200 kilometers from Hainan island, the closest Chinese landmass.
China and the Philippines have had repeated confrontations in the waters in recent months, including around a warship grounded years ago by Manila on the contested Second Thomas Shoal or Ayungin Shoal, where Manila hosts a garrison.
Beijing claims almost the entire sea and has ignored an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis.
It deploys boats to patrol the busy waterway and has built artificial islands that it has militarized to reinforce its claims.
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