Philippine leader conveys concern to China envoy over 'swarming' vessels

MANILA, March 25 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo
Duterte vowed to protect the country's maritime territory during
a meeting with China's ambassador, his spokesman said on
Thursday, as international concern grows about Chinese vessels
massing in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over the
"swarming and threatening presence" of more than 200 vessels
that it believes were manned by maritime militia, which were
moored at the Whitsun Reef within Manila's 200-mile exclusive
economic zone. "The president said we are really concerned. Any country
will be concerned with that number of ships," Duterte's
spokesman, Harry Roque, told a regular news conference when
asked about the meeting.
The United States, Japan and Canada have also expressed
alarm about the Chinese boats.
Roque said Duterte reaffirmed to China's ambassador, Huang
Xilian, that the Philippines had won a landmark arbitration case
in 2016, which made clear its sovereign entitlements amid
competing claims by China.
That ruling also invalidated China's nine-dashed line claim
to 90% of the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through
which at least $3.4 trillion of annual trade passes. Brunei,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.
China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a
request for comment on the meeting.
The embassy on Wednesday said the vessels at Whitsun Reef
were fishing boats taking refuge from rough seas. A Philippine
military spokesman said China's defence attache had denied there
were militia aboard.
China's maritime assertiveness has put Duterte in an awkward
spot throughout his presidency because of his praise and
controversial embrace of Beijing, with which the Philippines has
a long history of mistrust.
Duterte has been sharply criticised at home for his
reluctance to speak out against China and instead blame close
ally the United States for creating conflict in the South China
Sea.