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Philippine ship leaves Huangyan
By Guo Kai Source:Global Times Published: 2012-4-13 0:30:00
A Philippine warship that was in a standoff with Chinese surveillance boats near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea after trying to stop Chinese fishing boat crews has left the area.
Thursday afternoon, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said China urged the Philippines to withdraw its vessels from the waters near Huangyan Island immediately.
Liu said ships dispatched by the Chinese government were not navy vessels and that they were law enforcement ships sent to safeguard the safety of Chinese vessels and crew, as well as allow them to continue their legitimate fishing activities.
News later reported that Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario said Thursday afternoon that his country withdrew the warship for an "operational reason" after Chinese surveillance boats and a coast guard boat arrived at the area, according to the People's Daily.
He said that he expected to see a breakthrough about the issue before flying to the US on the weekend.
"The Philippines' behavior means it does not want to aggravate tensions," Li Jie, a researcher at the Chinese Naval Research Institute, told the Global Times Thursday.
"The coast guard boat is used for common marine patrols and law enforcement, but the warship is usually for military mission," said Li.
"China's behavior is to protect its fishermen, and the Philippines should respect the rights of other country's citizens," said Li, "China has insisted on the policy of maintaining stability and peace, and does not want to escalate the situation."
However, Philippine navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said the warship's departure was not a retreat or concession of any kind to China, according to AP.
Twelve Chinese fishing boats were in the lagoon of Huangyan Island to shelter from harsh weather conditions on Tuesday when a Philippine warship blocked the entrance to the lagoon.
Twelve Philippine soldiers, six of whom were armed, entered the lagoon and harassed the Chinese fishermen, according to a statement by the Chinese embassy in Manila.
China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said it ordered Haijian-84 and Haijian-75, which were in the area carrying out regular patrols, on Tuesday to protect the Chinese fishermen.
The two ships arrived and managed to sail between the warship and the fishing boats to prevent the arrest of any fishermen. A standoff then took place until the Philippine vessel left the area.
South China Sea Conflict
Thursday afternoon, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said China urged the Philippines to withdraw its vessels from the waters near Huangyan Island immediately.
Liu said ships dispatched by the Chinese government were not navy vessels and that they were law enforcement ships sent to safeguard the safety of Chinese vessels and crew, as well as allow them to continue their legitimate fishing activities.
News later reported that Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario said Thursday afternoon that his country withdrew the warship for an "operational reason" after Chinese surveillance boats and a coast guard boat arrived at the area, according to the People's Daily.
He said that he expected to see a breakthrough about the issue before flying to the US on the weekend.
"The Philippines' behavior means it does not want to aggravate tensions," Li Jie, a researcher at the Chinese Naval Research Institute, told the Global Times Thursday.
"The coast guard boat is used for common marine patrols and law enforcement, but the warship is usually for military mission," said Li.
"China's behavior is to protect its fishermen, and the Philippines should respect the rights of other country's citizens," said Li, "China has insisted on the policy of maintaining stability and peace, and does not want to escalate the situation."
However, Philippine navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said the warship's departure was not a retreat or concession of any kind to China, according to AP.
Twelve Chinese fishing boats were in the lagoon of Huangyan Island to shelter from harsh weather conditions on Tuesday when a Philippine warship blocked the entrance to the lagoon.
Twelve Philippine soldiers, six of whom were armed, entered the lagoon and harassed the Chinese fishermen, according to a statement by the Chinese embassy in Manila.
China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said it ordered Haijian-84 and Haijian-75, which were in the area carrying out regular patrols, on Tuesday to protect the Chinese fishermen.
The two ships arrived and managed to sail between the warship and the fishing boats to prevent the arrest of any fishermen. A standoff then took place until the Philippine vessel left the area.
South China Sea Conflict