US slams Chinese actions in South China Sea
In this September 23, 2015 picture provided by Filipino fisherman Renato Etac, a Chinese Coast Guard boat sprays a water cannon at Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. (Photo by. . .
In this September 23, 2015 picture provided by Filipino fisherman Renato Etac, a Chinese Coast Guard boat sprays a water cannon at Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. (Photo by Renato Etac via AP)WASHINGTON, United States—The United States on Saturday accused China of “destabilizing” activity near the disputedScarborough Shoalin the South China Sea, saying it is using “dubious” environmental explanations to advance its territorial claims. Scarborough Shoal is a fish-rich reef formation 240 kilometers (124 miles) from the main Philippine island of Luzon and hundreds of kilometers away from mainland China. Both Beijing and Manila claim the flashpoint coral atoll. “The United States rejects China’s ongoing attempts to enforce its destabilizing ‘national nature reserve’ atScarborough Reefand deny Filipino fishermen access to their traditional fishing ground,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. Article continues after this advertisement“This is yet another unilateral attempt by China to use dubious environmental and legal pretexts, backed by coercion, to advance its sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors,” Pigott said in a statement. FEATURED STORIESWWWWWWWWWChina recently published new rules on the management of the nature reserve it unilaterally created last year around the shoal, which is controlled by Beijing. Beijing claims most of theSouth China Sea, including the flashpoint shoal, despite an international ruling that its assertion lacks any legal basis. China and the Philippines regularly clash over disputed territories. The most recent incidents took place last month. /aplYour subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page forWest Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.