Mon Jan 13 08:02:06 UTC 2025: ## Philippines Condemns China’s Actions in South China Sea

**Manila, Philippines –** The Philippines lodged a formal protest with China on Monday, January 13, 2025, over the escalating presence of Chinese coast guard, militia, and navy vessels near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The protest follows two incidents on January 5th and 10th involving two Chinese coast guard ships, one described as a massive 165-meter vessel, and a Chinese navy helicopter operating in the area, which falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Philippine national maritime council denounced the actions as violations of both Philippine and international law. They called for China to immediately cease all illegal activities within the Philippines’ EEZ. China, which claims sovereignty over almost the entirety of the South China Sea, has yet to respond to the Philippine protest, maintaining its position that the Scarborough Shoal is its territory.

This latest incident comes amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China, with increasing confrontations between their coast guards in recent years. The protest follows a virtual meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where the leaders discussed China’s assertive behavior in the strategically important South China Sea, a vital shipping lane for trillions of dollars in annual commerce.

A 2016 international arbitral tribunal ruling invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, a decision China continues to disregard. The escalating situation raises concerns about regional stability and the potential for further conflict.

Read More