South China Sea warning: Philippines' foreign minister warns Chinese vessels to leave disputed waters

China’s conflicts with other countries, especially the United States and other nations in the west, surround the South China Sea. Following the increased presence of Chinese fishing vessels, the Philippines’ foreign minister has issued a blunt warning to Beijing to leave the disputed waters.

The Philippines’ foreign minister Teodoro Locsin took to social media to make an expletive-laden warning to China regarding the South China Sea and its fishing vessels to leave. Locsin’s comments follow protests from the Philippines regarding the “illegal” presence of Chinese fishing vessels within the country’s EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zone. This is the latest pushback in the ongoing conflict between the Philippines and China over the disputed South China Sea.

“China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see, get the **** out!” tweeted Locsin on his personal Twitter account. “What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We’re trying. You. You’re like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend, not to father a Chinese province,” added Locsin, who is known for making blunt remarks.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea with its nine-dash line. However, its claims overlap those of the surrounding countries and have been strongly opposed by the international community. The 2016 arbitration tribunal ruled that China’s claims of having sovereignty over almost the whole body of water are not in line with international law, a ruling that China has stubbornly rejected.

Over the weekend, the Philippines pledged to continue maritime exercises in its EEZ in defiance of China’s demand not to do so else conflicts should arise.

The United States has also strongly opposed China’s insistence on having sovereignty over the South China Sea. China has since blasted the US Navy for disrupting its military drills in the contested waters. The criticism follows the US Navy’s USS Mustin, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer that was shadowing China’s aircraft carrier group for almost three weeks.

China’s defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian said that the USS Mustin’s close-range presence threatened the safety of their vessels and the crew aboard the vessels during a conference. The Chinese warships reportedly warned and attempted to expel the USS Mustin whenever it got too close.