Manila Philippines — China has reminded the Philippine government for complying with the alleged ‘goodwill arrangement’ with Filipino fishermen that was formed in 2016.
This was the answer of the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding the 200 civilians carried by five commercial fishing boats that went to Scarborough Shoal.
“China made a goodwill arrangement in 2016 for Filipino fishermen to fish with a small number of small fishing boats in the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao, while China continues to oversee and monitor relevant activities of the Filipino fishermen in accordance with law,” according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a press conference.
China insists, they own Huangyan Dao or better known as Scarborough Shoal.
It is said that China has territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction over part of the West Philippine Sea.
China is also ready to protect its alleged sovereignty in case Filipino fishermen violate the so-called goodwill arrangement.
“If the Philippines abuses China’s goodwill and infringes upon China’s territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, we will defend our rights and take countermeasures in accordance with the law,” Wang added.
Scarborough Shoal or Kalayaan group Island has a distance of 120 Nautical miles from mainland Luzon.
Clearly included in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to make a statement regarding China’s alleged goodwill arrangements.