The Philippines has filed two new diplomatic protests against China over the presence of 160 Chinese vessels in some features and islands in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. In a diplomatic note dated April 21, 2021, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the presence of these vessels in the West Philippine Sea "blatantly infringe[s] upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction." "The vessels were observed within the territorial sea of high tide features in the Kalayaan Island Group, in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and in and around the territorial waters of Bajo de Masinloc," the department said.

Requejo, R. E., Barcelo, V., & Ramos-Araneta, M. (2021, April 24). PH protests vs. China mount: DFA fires more diplomatic notes; Chinese vessels unmoved. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.