The Chinese Embassy in Manila has sternly rejected what it called “groundless accusations” in the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) annual report of an increased presence of Chinese maritime forces near Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales.In a statement released on Thursday night, the embassy reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position that Huangyan Dao (the Chinese name for Bajo de Masinloc) is China’s “inherent territory,” and that Chinese vessels and the China Coast Guard (CCG) are operating in accordance with both Chinese domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

Ismael, J. J., & Baroña, F. J. C. (2026, January 24). Philippines-China sea row heats up. The Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.