(BGF) – The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported the crowd of about 500 people protested against China’s claims to much of the South China Sea in front of the Chinese consulate in Manila. A small group of Vietnamese also joined the protest, waving anti- China banners, as a support to the Philippines in the struggle against an aggressive China. The protest also attracted participation of the Philippine former government and army officials.
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Filipinos, Vietnamese protest China’s territorial claims
July 24, 2013
A Fililipino protester holds a slogan beside a Philippine flag during a rally outside the Chinese Consulate in suburban Makati, south of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday June 11, 2013. The group held the rally to oppose China’s alleged continued intrusion and poaching activities in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of people in the Philippine capital protested Wednesday against China’s claims to much of the vast South China Sea, saying Beijing’s intrusions into other countries’ territories would tarnish its image as it becomes a world power.
Waving Philippine flags and blowing horns, the protesters massed in front of a building housing the Chinese consulate in Manila, blocking noontime traffic. The Chinese consulate closed its visa office due to the protest.
Anti-riot police closely watched the crowd of about 500, which sang nationalist songs, yelled anti-China slogans and held up placards that read: “China stop bullying” and “China get out of the West Philippine Sea.”
The West Philippine Sea is a new name the Philippine government has adopted for the disputed body of water that has been the site of recent confrontations involving Chinese military and civilian surveillance ships and those from the Philippines and Vietnam.
Six governments — China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan — lay claim to disputed territories in the sea, which is home to busy shipping lanes and is potentially rich in oil and gas deposits. Many fear the disputes could eventually spark Asia’s next major armed conflict.
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