PH hits China bullying of Vietnamese fishers

05 Oct 2024, 05:45 by Jacob Lazaro · INQUIRER.NET

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday denounced the use of force in the South China Sea after Vietnamese fishermen were beaten up by Chinese maritime law enforcers.

The DFA told reporters it is aware of the Sept. 29 incident where 10 Vietnamese fishermen fishing in the waters of Paracel Islands were allegedly beaten up by Chinese personnel using iron bars.

“The Philippines has consistently denounced the use of force, aggression and intimidation in the South China Sea, and emphasized the need for actors to exercise genuine self-restraint,” the DFA said.

“It is a paramount obligation to ensure the safety at sea of vessels and their crew, especially fisherfolk,” the DFA added.

The Vietnam Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the “brutal behavior” of the Chinese law enforcers.

According to reports by local newspapers in Vietnam, there were 40 attackers that ganged up on the fisherfolk with the incident lasting for three hours. One fisherman had a broken leg while two others suffered broken arms.

Article continues after this advertisement

A total of $20,000 (P1.1 million) worth of equipment and fish were also stolen by the perpetrators, the reports added.

Article continues after this advertisement

Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) early this week didn’t deny the incident but said the reports were “not in line with the facts.” The MFA said the operation by their Chinese enforcers were “professional and restrained.”

Article continues after this advertisement

China claims practically all of the South China Sea including the Paracel Islands and the West Philippine Sea where the Philippine Coast Guard has also experienced several incidents of harassment by the China Coast Guard (CCG).

Last June, a Filipino navy officer lost a thumb during an encounter with CCG personnel in Ayungin (Second Thomas) shoal, which is within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The South China Sea is a resource-rich waterway that is wholly claimed by China and partially by the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

The 2016 Arbitral Award reaffirmed the Philippines’ EEZ and rejected China’s sweeping claims for having “no legal basis” in international law. INQ

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.