![[PHOTO] China Sea: Manila installs coast guard to better monitor Beijing’s ships](https://m1.quebecormedia.com/emp/emp/9b69c020-9026-11ee-8639-efd93e1ba905_ORIGINAL.jpg?impolicy=crop-resize&x=0&y=62&w=1200&h=675&width=1200)
The Philippines announced on Friday the establishment of a Coast Guard station on its largest island in the South China Sea to monitor ships sent by Beijing, which claims sovereignty over this region.
France Press agency
This station, which is supposed to be operational in early 2024, will be equipped with “advanced” surveillance systems, including radars, cameras and satellite instruments, National Security Advisor Eduardo Ano said during a visit to the Philippine island of Thitu.
France Press agency
He added, “These systems will greatly improve the (Coast Guard’s) ability to monitor the movements of naval forces from China and other countries that may come here, as well as our ships and aircraft.”
France Press agency
Relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated in recent months after a series of incidents in this region, including a collision between two Chinese and Filipino ships in which the two countries blamed each other.
France Press agency
Mr. Ano also stressed that real-time data collection would have an “impact on the behavior” of those claiming sovereignty over these islands, signaling a “tipping point.”
France Press agency
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including nearby waters and islands from neighboring countries, despite a 2016 international court ruling that such claims have no legal basis.
China has deployed ships in this region, where it has built islands and military facilities to give greater weight to its claims.
France Press agency
The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim several islands in these waters, which could contain significant oil reserves at depth.
France Press agency
On Friday, Eduardo Ano accused China of “illegal” and “aggressive” behavior against fishermen and the Philippine Coast Guard. “It’s pure harassment,” he asserted. We will not surrender and we will defend ourselves. He added: “Any force that tries to suppress us (…) will not be able to dissuade us.”
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