Philippines says 220 Chinese vessels spotted at disputed reef in South China Sea, SE Asia News & Top Stories – The Straits Times

MANILA (BLOOMBERG) – The Philippines expressed concern after spotting what it said were Chinese fishing vessels at a reef claimed by it and China, and could file a diplomatic protest on the presence of the boats. About 220 Chinese vessels were seen moored in line at Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea on March 7, a government task force overseeing the disputed seas said in a statement on Saturday (March 20). The area, which the South-east Asian nation calls Juan Felipe, is a large but shallow boomerang-shaped coral reef within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the task force said….