The Philippine president’s spokesman, Ernesto Abella, told the media that the country is disturbed by the presence of the Chinese vessels.
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A handout photo from the DND shows alleged positions of Chinese ships near a disputed shoal China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei claim parts or all of the resource-rich South China Sea, making it a hot spot of regional tension.
Duterte last week said China had sent barges to the contested Scarborough Shoal and had appeared to begin construction there for the first time.
China is willing to “dispel interference” in the disputed South China Sea by working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Premier Li Keqiang said at the regional summit in the Lao capital Vientiane.
The outcry could add further tensions during a summit of USA and Southeast Asian leaders in Laos over China’s reach into the South China Sea, where Beijing has already constructed artificial islands and other facilities that the West and allies fear could be used as a military foothold in the region.
‘What was underlined by countries like Singapore and the Philippines was the importance of the rule of law and adhering to worldwide bodies that govern this, ‘ Philippine Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.
“Several leaders remained seriously concerned over recent developments in the South China Sea”, said the draft.
Obama also made no mention of maritime disputes with China in a press conference Monday.
The statement said the summit “took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region”.
Tensions have escalated sharply in recent years as China built islands and airstrips on reefs and islets in the Spratlys archipelago – another strategically important location – that are capable of supporting military operations.
Chinese island-building in the Spratlys archipelago – another strategically important location – has already triggered various USA military shows of strength.
But while economics and security will be on the agenda, the issue of ongoing disputes in the South China Sea looms.
But the Asean leaders had a “candid exchange on views on regional and worldwide issues of mutual interest and concerns”, during a retreat ahead of the meeting with China. China claims virtually the entire sea as its own, citing historical reasons.
China, which did not participate in the arbitration case, has rejected the court’s ruling as “null and void”. Beijing has, however, dismissed the ruling. Cambodia, for example, remains in China’s camp, as does Laos to a large extent, preventing any robust statement from the consensus-bound ASEAN group.
Beijing also dismissed Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that China has started new construction work on the disputed Panatag Shoal ( Scarborough Shoal).
Hours after the Philippines released the pictures, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, met with Li and his aides.
The Philippine concern about the shoal comes after a dispute with the United States, its main ally.
“Given this situation, some people are hyping the situation by spreading that kind of information”, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily briefing in Beijing.
China said there had been no change in the situation around the shoal and it had not taken any new action there.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in his first meeting with global counterparts since assuming office in June, raised issues related to the South China Sea during the meeting but didn’t make any specific reference to the tribunal ruling, Philippine government spokesmen said.
Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino, was usually a vociferous critic of China at ASEAN meetings.
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Chinese naval vessels participate in a drill in the East China Sea, China on Aug 1.
