9-4-2024 (MANILA) Demonstrators in Manila expressed their discontent towards China’s actions in the South China Sea by trampling on an effigy of Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 9.
The protesters marched towards the Chinese consulate in Manila, chanting slogans such as “China leave!” and condemning what they perceive as China’s aggression against the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Tensions between the Philippines and China have escalated due to various maritime incidents, including an event in March where China used water cannon to disrupt a Philippine supply mission to soldiers stationed on a grounded warship in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
Mr. Mong Palatino, one of the protest leaders, conveyed their message to the Chinese government, demanding that they vacate the West Philippine Sea, dismantle illegal structures, acknowledge the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling, and cease the harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and Philippine supply missions.
China asserts territorial claims over almost the entire South China Sea, deploying a considerable fleet of coastguard vessels to enforce its control, even extending more than 1,000km from its mainland.
Despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration refuting China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, Beijing continues to reject the tribunal’s decision.
