China told Philippines to educate its fishermen

From Ang Malaya (Apr 23): China told Philippines to educate its fishermen

Chinese government told Philippine government to educate Filipino fishermen after Chinese coast guard personnel fired water cannon against Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc. “The Chinese side calls on the Philippine side to show earnest respect for China’s territorial sovereignty, step up its regulation and education of the fishermen and stop all actions infringing upon China’s territorial sovereignty, and rights and interests,” China said.

China noted that they “have seen a large number of Philippine fishing boats lingering in the waters off the Huangyan Island (Bajo de Masinloc) with no permission from the Chinese side and disobeying China’s management.”

“Chinese government vessels perform guard duty in waters off the Huangyan Island (Bajo de Masinloc) to maintain the normal order of these waters in accordance with the law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said.

However, the US government sees Chinese coast guard’s action as provocative. “The use of water cannons against Philippine civilian vessels that have a longstanding practice of fishing in these waters at Scarborough Reef or in other disputed areas of the South China Sea would be a provocative act.”

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/04/22/10395-china-told-philippines-to-educate-its-fishermen