MANILA, Philippines — China has “no plan” of establishing a “permanent presence” at the Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef, its foreign ministry spokesperson said, adding that the Philippines should immediately stop its “wanton hype-up” of the issue.
On Wednesday, the Philippines began filing a daily diplomatic protest against Chinese vessels’ continued presence at the West Philippine Sea reef.
Asserting that the reef is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Manila earlier demanded that Beijing pull out its fishing vessels and maritime assets in the area or face a diplomatic protest “every day of delay” in the removal of the ships.
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Keep on reading: ‘Stop wanton hype-up:’ China says ‘no plan’ to keep ‘permanent presence’ in WPS reef