[1/3] Chinese Coast Guard boats close to the floating barrier are pictured on September 20, 2023, near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, in this handout image released by the Philippine Coast Guard on September 24, 2023.
Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The Philippines on Sunday accused China's coast guard of installing a "floating barrier" in a disputed area of the South China Sea, saying it prevented Filipinos from entering and fishing in the area.
The barrier blocking fishermen from the shoal was depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities", he said.
China claims 90% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Three Chinese coast guard rigid-hull inflatable boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat installed the barrier when the Philippine vessel arrived, he said.
Persons:
China's, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Rodrigo Duterte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Enrico Dela Cruz, William Mallard
Organizations:
Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, of Fisheries, Resources, Thomson
Locations:
Scarborough, South China, Rights MANILA, Philippines, Manila, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Beijing, Philippine, Bajo, Masinloc