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FILIPINO and Vietnamese residents in Manila staged a joint protest yesterday against China’s activities in disputed South China Sea territories.
Chanting “China get out,” more than 100 people picketed the Chinese consulate in the Philippine capital carrying banners that urged Manila and Hanoi to “join hands” against Beijing.
China claims most of the South China Sea, a busy trade route and fishing ground over rich oil and gas reserves, as its territory.
Philippines Congressman Walden Bello said they were denouncing Beijing’s moves as provocative.
“This protest is telling China to respect international law,” he said.
Chinese and Vietnamese ships have been locked in a standoff since early this month after Beijing deployed an oil rig near the Paracel Islands claimed by Hanoi.
Manila has also contested Chinese land reclamation on a reef it claims as Philippines territory.
China has reclaimed land on the Johnson South Reef in violation of an agreement to not occupy uninhabited areas in disputed waters.