Philippines vows to continue maritime exercises in South China Sea

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard use rubber boats as they patrol at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea on April 14, 2021. - AP

MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines will continue maritime exercises inside its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, the country's defence minister said on Sunday (May 2), despite a call by China to stop actions that it said could escalate disputes.

The Philippine coastguard and fisheries bureau started maritime exercises last month, having boosted its presence in the area to counter the "threatening" presence of Chinese boats.