Two Chinese marine surveillance ships have been engaged in a stand-off with a Philippine navy vessel in a disputed area of the South China Sea, the latest example of rising tensions in the region.
Beijing and Manila summoned each other’s ambassadors and lodged diplomatic protests over the incident in Scarborough Shoal, about 120 nautical miles west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon, according to Albert del Rosario, the Philippine foreign secretary.
The conflict began on Tuesday morning when a Philippine warship tried to detain at least eight Chinese fishing boats and arrest those on board for allegedly fishing illegally in Philippine waters. Two Chinese surveillance ships later moved in to protect the fishermen from what Beijing called “harassment” by Philippine soldiers, and asked the warship to leave the area, which is also claimed by China.