Philippines says China's rights over South China Sea 'exist in its imagination'

China’s ‘nine-dash line’ which it has used to claim most of South China sea is a fabrication, Philippines defence minister said, accusing Beijing of illegally occupying Filipi maritime territory. Tensions between Manila and Beijing first flared after latter seized Scarborough shoal in 2012 and have been escalated recently. Apart from Philippines and China, key waterway is also contested by Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei.

On August 23, Filipi Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asserted that Scarborough shoal lied in country’s special ecomic zone. Lambasting China, he ded Beijing’s “so-called Historical” rights over area enclosed by nine-dash line did t exist “except in ir imaginations”.

“Our fishermen are within our EEZ and likewise our ships and planes conduct patrol sorties within our area. y (China) are ones who have been doing provocations by illegally occupying some features within our EEZ. Hence y have right to claim y are enforcing ir laws," he told media reporters in a text mess.

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Fire drills in South China Sea

This comes as  People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong released new foot of live-fire drills being conducted in South China Sea. According to South China Morning Post reports, foot shows Hong Kong-based warship called Huizhou firing canns and torpedoes. 

foot released by People’s Liberation Army is also reported to show military personnel carrying out anti-piracy and anti-terrorism operations. garrison is reported to have said that anti-submarine training was main element of drill. Hong Kong has two warships based in city, with Huizhou being primarily used for coastal defence purposes. In dition to being armed with torpedoes, warship is also armed with surface-to-air missiles. 

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