SUMMARY

MANILA, Philippines – Beijing on Saturday, March 23, warned Manila that it “should be prepared to bear all potential consequences” if it “insists on going its own way,” just hours after China Coast Guard (CCG) ships blocked, harassed, and used water cannons against Philippine vessels trying to bring personnel and supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. 

The Sierra Madre, a World War II ship purposefully run aground in 1999, serves as a military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal. It is located some 120 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, which means it is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, referred to as the West Philippine Sea. 

China claims practically all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, i…

Source:https://www.rappler.com/philippines/china-statement-after-ayungin-harassment/