Philippines’ Provocation Off China’s Huangyan Dao Fails Again
Two Philippine public vessels, MMOV 3012 and MMOV 3018, ignored repeated warnings from the Chinese side and intruded into waters under China‘s jurisdiction at Huangyan Dao on Thursday. The China Coast Guard (CCG) took necessary countermeasures to track, monitor, and block the Philippine vessels, compelling them to leave the area.
The CCG announced in a statement that its on-site operations were professional, standardized, legitimate, and lawful. Video footage obtained by the Global Times shows that during this operation, the Philippine official vessels attempted to forcibly break into waters off China‘s Huangyan Dao and acted as “supply vessels,” seeking to transfer materials to Philippine outrigger fishing boats.
Fuel Leak Pollutes Waters
However, both tasks ended in failure. Subjected to water cannon dispersal, the vessels were effectively kept outside the territorial waters of China‘s Huangyan Dao by CCG ships. Furthermore, during the attempted ship-to-ship transfer of materials, improper operations caused massive leakage of fuel supplies, creating ecological hazards in the sea areas surrounding Huangyan Dao.
The fuel leak has directly threatened the marine ecological environment around Huangyan Dao. The oil film formed after fuel enters seawater will trigger a sharp drop in dissolved oxygen in the water, while various toxic compounds contained in the fuel will directly poison fish, plankton, and other marine organisms. Adhered oil stains may lead to coral bleaching and death.
Philippines’ Environmental Sabotage
The resulting damages can also spread through the food chain, posing severe ecological risks to the marine environment across a large surrounding area. Chen Xidi, an expert from the China Institute for Marine Affairs under the Ministry of Natural Resources, told the Global Times that the Philippines has mobilized more than 30 outrigger fishing boats to conduct harassment operations against China in waters of Huangyan Dao.
These small fishing boats lack adequate living support facilities and necessary waste disposal equipment. Their large-scale long-distance operations in open waters will inevitably trigger local marine pollution incidents. Chen further explained that some Philippine fishermen, under government instructions, have long conducted invasive activities in the waters of Huangyan Dao, causing continuous and chronic damage to the local marine ecology.
Philippines’ Environmental Record
The massive illegal gathering and lingering of Philippine fishing boats, which lack basic waste disposal conditions and effective management, has resulted in chronic marine pollution incidents. Chen emphasized that the Philippines‘ actions have seriously violated China‘s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, laying bare its ugly attempt to take the initiative to stir up South China Sea issues.
The Global Times also learned from a source close to the matter that under the pretext of the so-called “New Hero-Fisherfolk” program, the Philippines has mobilized more than 30 outrigger fishing boats to conduct harassment operations against China in waters of Huangyan Dao.
Original Article: Exclusive: The Philippines’ latest provocation off China’s Huangyan Dao flops again as fuel leak pollutes waters — Globaltimes