One of the busiest trade routes in the world runs through the South China Sea. About ten percent of the global fishing catch also takes place in the area. China claims about 90% of the South China Sea, which also borders Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia. They also lay claim to parts of it.
The South China Sea has been the source of many conflicts with China for years. According to the Philippines, the new incident took place at Scarborough Reef. There is an island chain with underwater reefs where Filipino fishermen practice their activities. This is no longer possible due to the ‘floating border’.
The Philippine Coast Guard strongly condemns the Chinese installation. “It robs our fishermen of their livelihood,” Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said on X (formerly Twitter). It is a floating barrier of approximately 300 meters long, which provides access to a lagoon where fish are caught.
China captured the disputed area in 2012, after which Filipino fishermen were no longer allowed to visit it. Under the policies of previous Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, relations with China improved, resulting in fishermen being allowed back. But since his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., took office last year, tensions have increased again.