South China Sea: Beijing says it removed sea barrier voluntarily despite Manila’s claim ‘special operation’ cut cordon
Philippines on Monday said its ‘special operation’ ordered by the president cut a 300-metre cordon installed by China off Scarborough ShoalChinese coastguard spokesman insists it ‘took the initiative to retrieve the blocking facilities and resume normal control on September 23’South China SeaZhao ZiwenPublished: 1:59pm, 28 Sep, 2023Why you can trust SCMP
“The official vessel of the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) illegally entered the waters near China’s Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government,” Gan Yu, a spokesman for the China Coast Guard, said late on Wednesday, using the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.
“[China] temporarily deployed blocking nets in response to the intrusion of the Philippine vessel into the lagoon, and then took the initiative to retrieve the blocking facilities and resume normal control on September 23.”
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Philippine coastguard removes Chinese barrier at disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea
Philippine coastguard removes Chinese barrier at disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China SeaGan’s remarks would date the removal of the barrier to Saturday, two days before Manila publicly condemned Beijing for installing the barrier and its announcement of successfully removing it.