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National maritime body protests illegal presence of China vessels MANILA, Philippines, January 14 ------ The Philippines has protested the “illegal” presence and “escalatory” actions of a Chinese helicopter and ships within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), saying they disregarded local and international laws and were not in line with the exercise of freedom of navigation and innocent passage. The National Maritime Council (NMC) said the illegal presence and operations of China Coast Guard vessels CCG 5901 and CCG 3304 were detected on Jan. 5 and 10, respectively, in and around the waters of Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc and about 70 to 90 nautical miles from the coastlines of Zambales province. According to the NMC, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continuously challenged the two CCG vessels and told them to leave the area immediately. China also deployed a People’s Liberation Army-Navy helicopter that hovered above a PCG vessel, a move that the NMC labeled as “provocative.” “The Philippines objects to the continued illegal presence and activities of Chinese maritime forces and militia within the country’s territorial sea and exclusive economic zone,” the NMC said …

China calls Japan - Philippines sea border talks illegal | Philstar.com MANILA, Philippines — China has expressed strong opposition to a decision by Japan and the Philippines to start maritime border negotiations, calling the talks “illegal” and claiming exclusive control over the waters concerned. The two island nations announced on Thursday they would start formal talks “to delimit the maritime boundary” of an economic zone and continental shelf between them, as President Marcos met Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on a visit to Tokyo. But Beijing again asserted on Friday that it has an “exclusive economic zone and continental shelf” in the waters to the east of Taiwan. “China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference when asked about the delimitation talks between Tokyo and Manila. “China solemnly declares that the so-called delimitation negotiations between Japan and the Philippines are entirely illegal and invalid,” Mao said. Beijing has “lodged solemn representations” with both countries, she added. Manila and Tokyo’s shared grievances over Chinese maritime territorial claims ha…

‘Illegal and void’: China condemns Japan-Philippines maritime border talks China has condemned the launch of maritime boundary negotiations between Japan and the Philippines, calling the talks “completely illegal and void”. The protest followed a joint statement released on Thursday after a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in Tokyo. During the talks, the two sides agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership to strengthen cooperation in areas including the economy, security...

Japanese and Chinese Coast Guard Face Off in Disputed Island Chain Japanese and Chinese Coast Guard Face Off in Disputed Island Chain Japan and China cannot agree who expelled whom from the disputed islands after a showdown over a Japanese fishing boat (JCG file photo) Published Dec 2, 2025 4:33 PM by The Maritime Executive There was a new confrontation on Tuesday morning, December 2, as China continues its expansionist policies, claiming larger areas in the surrounding waters, but unlike other recent events, this one was with the Japanese. The two sides are telling different versions of the incident. Japan and China have long been at odds over a small group of islands known by the Chinese as Diaoyu Islands, while the Japanese, who assert the administration of the area, refer to the islands as Senkaku. Similar to the disputed area with the Philippines, this group is a small area of just five uninhabited islands and three reefs. They sit just over 100 miles east of Taiwan and just over 250 miles to the west of Okinawa, Japan. Tensions have long brewed over the region, which is reported to have oil and natural gas assets as well as rich fishing areas. The countries agr…

Beijing slams Manila over South China Sea claims ahead of 2016 Hague anniversary Beijing has issued a lengthy critique of the Philippines’ territorial claims in the South China Sea, condemning its actions as “unlawful” expansions that posed a “grave threat” to the post-war global order. Wednesday’s report by a Ministry of Natural Resources think tank – its third within days – marks the latest move in China’s campaign to reinforce its position in the disputed waters. It also reiterates Beijing’s rejection of the Philippines’ stance just days before the 10th anniversary of a...

Diplomatic protest filed vs Chinese ships' 'illegal presence' in Phl EEZ The Philippine government has denounced the continued presence and activities of Chinese vessels within the country’s territorial waters, particularly in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a statement issued on Monday, the National Maritime Council (NMC) confirmed that the country had filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing’s persistent deployment of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships. The NMC condemned the Chinese presence in Philippine waters, emphasizing that it constitutes a “clear violation” of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act 12064), international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling affirming Manila's sovereign rights in its maritime zones, particularly in the WPS. “The Philippines strongly opposes the continued illegal presence and operations of the CCG vessels, as well as the provocative actions of the PLA-N helicopter, within the country’s maritime zones,” the NMC said. “The Philippine government has been vigilant and unwavering in upholding t…

China blasts ‘illegal’ Japan-Philippines sea border talks China expressed strong opposition on Friday to a decision by Japan and the Philippines to start maritime border negotiations, calling the talks “illegal” and claiming exclusive control over the waters concerned. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Akasaka Palace Guest House in Tokyo on May 29. 2026. Photo: Bongbong Marcos, via Facebook. The two island nations announced on Thursday they would start formal talks “to delimit the maritime boundary” of an economic zone and continental shelf between them, as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on a visit to Tokyo. But Beijing again asserted on Friday that it has an “exclusive economic zone and continental shelf” in the waters to the east of Taiwan. “China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference when asked about the delimitation talks between Tokyo and Manila. “China solemnly declares that the so-called delimitation negotiations between Japan and the Philippines are entirely illegal and in…

China calls Japan-Philippines sea border talks 'illegal' | GMA News Online ADVERTISEMENT Filtered By: Topstories News By Agence France-Presse Published May 30, 2026 11:39am + Add GMA on Google Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google. China has lodged solemn representatioons with both countries about the matter, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning says. Pedro Pardo/ AFP/ File photo BEIJING - China expressed strong opposition on Friday to a decision by Japan and the Philippines to start maritime border negotiations, calling the talks "illegal" and claiming exclusive control over the waters concerned. The two island nations announced on Thursday they would start formal talks "to delimit the maritime boundary " of an economic zone and continental shelf between them, as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on a visit to Tokyo. But Beijing again asserted on Friday that it has an "exclusive economic zone and continental shelf" in the waters to the east of Taiwan. "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference …

China calls Japan-Philippines sea border talks 'illegal' Japan and China are in territorial and economic disputes in the East China Sea, where coastguard ships from both sides routinely stage dangerous standoffs

China tests US commitment to South China Sea by pressuring Philippines By William Yang January 28, 2025 A little more than a week after Beijing and Manila reached an agreement aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has accused Chinese coast guard vessels of fresh incursions, harassment and "aggressive maneuvers." Analysts say the pressure campaign, which has stepped up in recent days, is part of Beijing's attempt to test the United States' commitment to support the Philippines. "They want to see how far they can push the Philippines under the new administration in the U.S.," Ja Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, told VOA by phone. In a statement released on social media platform X last Saturday, the Philippine coast guard said two vessels from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries encountered "aggressive maneuvers" from three Chinese coast guard vessels while heading to Sandy Cay for a marine scientific survey last Friday. In one video released by Manila, a large Chinese coast guard vessel was seen moving within a few meters of one Philippine vessel. Another video showed a Chinese helicopt…

China Reacts Strongly as Japan & Philippines Move Ahead W/ Sea Border Talks Why China Is Opposing the Latest Japan-Philippines Maritime Talks CHINA – Tensions in regional waters intensified as China voiced opposition to a newly announced sea border initiative between Japan and the Philippines. China voiced strong objections on Friday to the decision by Japan and the Philippines to begin discussions on defining their maritime boundary, describing the planned negotiations as “illegal” and reiterating its claim of exclusive rights over the waters involved. The issue emerged after Japan and the Philippines announced on Thursday that they would launch formal negotiations aimed at establishing the maritime boundary between their respective economic zones and continental shelves. The announcement came during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Tokyo, where he met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss regional concerns. Photo Source: Reuters The planned talks are expected to focus on clarifying maritime jurisdiction and boundaries in areas where the interests of the two nations intersect. Such negotiations are generally …

Philippines: China did not seize disputed South China Sea Reef Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. Philippines: China did not seize disputed South China Sea Reef Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 28, 2025 The Philippines denied on Monday that news reports claiming Beijing had seized control over a reef in dispute in the South China Sea were true, after their personnel landed and discovered no Chinese presence on the unoccupied sandbars. The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on Friday that its coast guard landed at Sandy Cay in order to exercise sovereignty. The broadcaster did not state that China had occupied the feature. CCTV showed images of four coastguard personnel wearing black combat gear and holding a Chinese Flag after they arrived on Sandy Cay in an inflatable dinghy. Jonathan Malaya, a spokesperson for the Philippine National Security Council, said on Monday that news reports about China seizing Sandy Cay are false. A Philippine team visited the sandbars Sunday and found no one there. Malaya stated that "the facts on the ground contradict their statements". Malaya, using the Filipino term for the sandbars called the reports "irresponsible", said: "We are here debunk th…

Philippines protests China's floating 'structure' on disputed South ... The Philippines has protested China’s deployment of what Manila describes as a floating “structure” with personnel on a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, fearing it could be a part of Beijing’s effort to turn the uninhabited atoll into an island base MANILA, Philippines --ThePhilippineshas protested China’s deployment of what Manila describes as a floating “structure” with personnel on a disputed shoal in theSouth China Sea, fearing it could be a part of Beijing’s effort to turn the uninhabited atoll into an island base, Philippine officials said Tuesday. The Department of Foreign Affairs said, without elaborating, that it lodged a protest over China's latest action on theScarborough Shoal, which was spotted by the Philippine military and coast guard. China dismissed Manila’s concern and reiterated that it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the shoal and adjacent waters, without responding or offering any details to the Philippine officials. “Any activities China conducts on Huangyan Island, including scientific research, are the legitimate rights of a sovereign state,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs sp…

China tests US commitment to South China Sea by pressuring Philippines Share Share A little more than a week after Beijing and Manila reached an agreement aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has accused Chinese coast guard vessels of fresh incursions, harassment and “aggressive maneuvers.” Analysts say the pressure campaign, which has stepped up in recent days, is part of Beijing’s attempt to test the United States’ commitment to support the Philippines. “They want to see how far they can push the Philippines under the new administration in the U.S.,” Ja Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, told VOA by phone. In a statement released on social media platform X last Saturday, the Philippine coast guard said two vessels from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries encountered “aggressive maneuvers” from three Chinese coast guard vessels while heading to Sandy Cay for a marine scientific survey last Friday. In one video released by Manila, a large Chinese coast guard vessel was seen moving within a few meters of one Philippine vessel. Another video showed a Chinese helicopter hovering above two inflatable boats carryin…

China sends warning to Japan and the Philippines over ‘wrongful’ maritime talks China has issued a legal warning to Japan and the Philippines over their planned maritime border talks, calling the move “internationally wrongful” and saying it had the right to hold both nations accountable. It is the latest protest from Beijing after Manila and Tokyo agreed in May to launch formal negotiations to delimit the maritime boundary of the exclusive economic zones and continental shelf between the two countries, which overlap with areas claimed by China. “The announcement,...