China, Philippines Tensions Surge After Manila Removes Barrier in South China Sea

The Philippine Coast Guard says it removed a 300 meter floating barrier installed by Chinese maritime forces in the South China Sea. Image via the Philippine Coast Guard.

Already strained ties between China and the Philippines worsened further on Tuesday following the announcement by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that it successfully removed a 300-meter barrier that Chinese maritime forces installed in a disputed area of the South China Sea.

Divers sliced the cable on Tuesday and sunk the barrier that appeared without notice last Friday near a shoal that’s fiercely contested by both countries.

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by Eric Olander

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