China’s Coast Guard has celebrated its National Day with a flag-raising ceremony aboard a ship in the waters off the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
The event, which included a pledge to “stand guard” over the atoll, underscores Beijing’s assertion of sovereignty despite rival claims by the Philippines.
Both nations claim the triangular feature in the busy waterway of the South China Sea, but it is effectively under Beijing’s control. In September, China infuriated Manila with a plan to establish a “national” nature reserve there.
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Coast Guard officers stood in formation on the rear deck of the patrol vessel Dahao (3304) and saluted as the Chinese flag was raised.
“We stand guard over these blue waters, assuring the nation of our unwavering commitment,” the officers said.
CCG vessel 3304 had previously been challenged by the Philippine Coast Guard for its “illegal presence” at the shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island, while in the Philippines it is known as the Panatag Shoal.
In 2012, China seized control of the shoal after a standoff with the Philippines and has since maintained a deployment of coast guard and fishing trawlers there.
A landmark ruling on South China Sea issues by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 favoured Manila, but deciding sovereignty over the shoal was not within the scope of the decision.
The ruling stated that Beijing’s blockade there violated international law as it was a traditional fishing ground for several countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam.
Flare-ups near the shoal in recent years have included water cannon use, boat-ramming, and manoeuvres by China’s coast guard that the Philippines considers dangerously close, while jets have shadowed Philippine aircraft over it.
Both sides accuse each other of provocation and trespassing, though none of the clashes have escalated into armed conflict.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Chinese Coast Guard said “it had increased law enforcement inspections around Scarborough Shoal since September to expel the “illegal” entry of vessels.”
The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army, in a separate statement, said naval and air forces had also strengthened patrols around the shoal since last month to respond to “infringement provocations.”
REUTERS