Satellite images reveal floating barrier at mouth of disputed atoll in South China Sea

A floating barrier is placed at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Feb 22, 2024. Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters

HONG KONG/MANILA: Satellite images of the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea show a new floating barrier across its entrance, near where Philippine ships and China coast guard vessels have had frequent run-ins.

One of the images taken by Maxar Technologies on Feb 22 and viewed by Reuters showed the barrier blocking the mouth of the shoal, where the Chinese coast guard last week claimed to have driven off a Philippine vessel "illegally intruding" into Beijing's waters.