Chinese coast guard claims to have chased away Philippine navy ship

China’s coast guard claimed Tuesday to have chased a Philippine navy ship from a disputed shoal in the South China Sea as tensions between the two countries over rich fishing areas escalate.
Coast guard spokesman Gan Yu said the Philippine ship had sailed into waters next to the Scarborough Shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island, and ignored “multiple calls” to turn back.
“The Chinese coast guard took necessary measures to expel the Philippine ship in accordance with the law, such as following it and forcing it out and controlling its route,” Gan said.
In Manila, the Philippines’ military chief of staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., said authorities were still looking into the alleged incident but think it was more likely “propaganda from the Chinese” than an actual confrontation.
“If we ever have a ship there, we will not agree to be driven away from the exclusive economic zone,” Brawner told reporters. “It’s our right to make sure that our fishermen can fish in our economic zone.”
The Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, just west of the country’s main Luzon Island.
It has been occupied by China since 2012 as part of Beijing’s push to lay claim to almost the entire South China Sea, which has also sparked disputes with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.