China is advancing at sea – warning from the Philippines

The Philippines are warning that China is advancing its positions in the disputed waters of the southern South China Sea.

In September, 101 vessels from China’s navy or coastguard were sighted near Philippine-controlled islands in the so-called Spratly Islands, according to the Philippine military. That is almost twice as many as in August.

China and the Philippines, along with several other countries, lay claim to areas, islands and atolls in the South China Sea. Chinese and Philippine vessels clash from time to time, in confrontations that lead to high-profile diplomatic fallout.

China lays claim to almost the entire South China Sea, despite the fact that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in 2016 that there is no basis for this. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to the waters there.