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Philippines Protests China's Sea Claim, Weapon Pointing

Associated Press

   MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Philippines has protested China's declaration
   that a Manila-claimed region in the disputed South China Sea is Chinese
   territory, and its aiming of weapons control radar at a Philippine navy
   ship, the country's top diplomat said Wednesday.

   China's recent assertive moves in the disputed waterway as the world
   battles the coronavirus pandemic have been criticized by rival
   Southeast Asian claimant nations and the United States.

   Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Twitter that
   two diplomatic protests were received by the Chinese Embassy in Manila
   late Wednesday.

   China has declared a section of Philippine-claimed territory to be part
   of its southernmost province of Hainan, Locsin said, adding that a
   "radar gun" was pointed at a Philippine navy ship in Philippine waters.

   The actions were "both violations of international law and Philippine
   sovereignty," Locsin said.

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