China besieges islands

CHINA is making a bold move on the Spratly Islands. A fishing fleet – backed by navy frigates and coast guard vessels – has surrounded the Philippines island of Pagasa/Thitu.

The island is the largest land mass occupied by the Philippines in the island group. International observers say the close-in naval and fishing fleet presence around sandbars close to the island is a highly provocative move which is at odds with Beijing’s narrative that its land-grab in the South China Sea is over.

But Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed claims by members of the judiciary and congress that its territory was being invaded.