Manila wants to better monitor Beijing’s ships

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This station, installed on the island of Thitu, and which should be operational at the beginning of 2024, will be equipped with surveillance systems “ advances “, including radars, cameras and satellite tools, declared the National Security Advisor, Eduardo Ano, during a visit to the Philippine island of Thitu. “ These systems will significantly improve the capacity (coast guard) to monitor the movements of maritime forces from China and other countries that may come here, as well as our own ships and aircraft “, he added.

Series of incidents

Relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated in recent months after a series of incidents in this area, including two collisions between Chinese and Philippine ships for which the two countries mutually blame each other. Real-time data collection will have a “ impact on behavior » of those who claim sovereignty over these islands, Mr. Ano also assured, referring to a “ turning “.

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands near neighboring countries, despite a 2016 ruling by an international court that those claims have no legal basis. China has deployed ships to this region where it has built islands and military installations to give more weight to its claims.

Oil reserves

The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to several islands in these waters, which could contain significant oil reserves at depth. On Friday, Eduardo Ano accused China of “ illegal ” And “ aggressive » against Philippine fishermen and coast guards. “ This is pure harassment “, he assured. “ We will not give in and we will defend ourselves. No power trying to oppress us (…) will not be able to dissuade us “, he added.

(With AFP)

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