Manila, 25 March 2024 (dpa/MIA) — The Philippines on Monday summoned China’s charge d’affaires to protest the latest move by Chinese vessels against Filipino boats bringing supplies to soldiers stationed in a shoal in the disputed South China Sea.

The diplomatic protest, which was handed to Chinese Embassy Charge D’affaires Zhou Zhiyong in Manila, demanded that China remove its vessels in Second Thomas Shoal, locally called Ayungin Shoal, which is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The protest was also filed by the Philippine embassy in Beijing with the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“China’s continued interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable,” the Philippines’ foreign ministry said in a statement.

“It infringes upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” it added. “The Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and the Philippine exclusive economic zone immediately.”

On Saturday, Chinese coastguard ships fired water cannons and executed dangerous manoeuvrers against a Philippine resupply boat, severely damaging the vessel and injuring at least three navy personnel.

The Chinese vessels also placed floating barriers at the north-west entrance to the lagoon of Ayungin Shoal in an attempt to obstruct the resupply mission, which was completed despite China's actions.

It was the second time this month that China aggressively blocked a supply mission to soldiers stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine navy ship anchored in the shoal since it ran aground in 1999, marking the country's claim to the area.