Manila, April 28 || The Philippines on Monday condemned the latest Chinese activities around Sandy Cay, emphasising that the area is part of its territory and no Chinese provocation will change that.
Chinese personnel reportedly raised a Chinese flag and conducted inspection activities on Sandy Cay, a sandbar located near Pag-asa Island, which is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Philippines, Romualdez termed the Chinese actions as "desperate and cheap stunts" designed to mislead and bolster illegitimate claims, state-run news agency PNA reported.
"I strongly denounce the latest actions of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in and around Sandy Cay, an area well within the Philippines' EEZ and unquestionably part of Philippine sovereignty," Romualdez said in a statement.
"I call on China: Cease these reckless provocations. Respect international law. Stop these cheap stunts," he added.
Citing the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that invalidated China's sweeping claims across the South China Sea, including Sandy Cay, he asserted that Sandy Cay, located just four nautical miles from Pag-asa Island, is Philippine territory.
"We have continuously and effectively exercised jurisdiction over it," he further said