Presence of Beijing’s vessels in disputed S. China Sea waters is illegal – Philippines

The presence of hundreds of Chinese boats near an island occupied by Manila in the disputed South China Sea is illegal and a clear violation of the Philippines sovereignty, Manila said on Thursday. The vessels in the vicinity of Thitu island for sustained periods raised questions about their intent, the Philippines Foreign Ministry added. Military data shows the Philippines has monitored more than 200 Chinese boats near Thitu, or Pagasa, as it is known locally, from January to March this year, Reuters reports. Besides the Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims of sovereignty in the busy waterway. It is considered a conduit for goods worth in excess of $3.4 trillion every year.