DFA rejects China claim over waters off Batanes
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has formally rejected China's claim of jurisdiction over waters near Batanes following the detection of a Chinese research vessel. The DFA asserted that the vessel was operating illegally within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone without the required consent.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea and the Philippines' efforts to assert its maritime sovereignty against Chinese encroachment.
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs "firmly and strongly" rejected yesterday the Chinese embassy's assertion that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the waters off Batanes.
In a statement issued after a Chinese research boat was monitored in the area before the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drove it away, the DFA emphasized that the foreign vessel was illegally operating within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
The DFA noted that Chinese research and survey vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 was detected operating approximately 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.
"The Department affirms that the Philippine Coast Guard was conducting lawful and routine law enforcement operations in response to a suspected unauthorized Marine Scientific Research (MSR) activity in the waters off Batanes."
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