South China Sea issue: China sharpens tirades against Philippines over sea row

MANILA (Philippines Daily Inquirer/ANN): China has in recent days noticeably ramped up its public responses to persistent challenges against its sweeping claims to the South China Sea, particularly from the Philippines, denying and dismissing all allegations made by Manila in their maritime conflict.

This week alone, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of National Defense (MND) issued separate statements to assert Beijing’s “undisputable claim” to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which are well within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ).