A law enforcement boat released by China Coast Guard ship 3104 gives verbal warnings and dispel the Philippine personnel from the reefs of China’s Huangyan Dao on January 12, 2024.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) recently stopped a group of Philippine fishermen from conducting illegal activities on China’s Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) in the South China Sea, a source confirmed with the Global Times on Friday.

On January 12, a group of Philippine fishermen trespassed into the reefs of China’s Huangyan Dao to illegally catch seashells, a move that also damaged the ecological environment, including the coral reefs of the island, according to the source.

The CCG took necessary measures to stop these actions in accordance with the law, with its on-site operations being professional, reasonable and legitimate, the source said.

A video and two photos shared by the source showed the Philippine personnel landing on the reefs of Huangyan Dao and engaging in illegal activities, while the CCG ship 3104 releasing a law enforcement boat carrying CCG personnel to give verbal warnings and dispel the Philippine personnel. 

A group of Philippine personnel conduct illegal activities on the reefs of China’s Huangyan Dao on January 12, 2024.

Huangyan Dao is China’s inherent territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and its adjacent waters and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters.

When then Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte visited China in 2016, the two sides discussed fishery cooperation in the South China Sea, including bilateral cooperation on fishing industry, and it was then that China agreed to make proper arrangements given its friendly relations with the Philippines.

The Chinese side opposes the Philippine side stirring up trouble and making provocations under the guise of fishery activities and taking advantage of China’s goodwill to violate China’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, the source said.

China will firmly defend its sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and maritime rights, the source said.