China forcibly seizes rocket debris in SCS

MANILA: China’s coast guard forcibly seized apparent Chinese rocket debris that was being towed by the Philippine navy, in the latest confrontation in the disputed South China Sea (SCS), a Philippine military commander said on Monday.

The Chinese vessel twice blocked the Philippine naval boat before seizing the debris it was towing on Sunday off Philippine-occupied Thitu island, viceadmiral Alberto Carlos said. He said no one was injured in the incident.

China denied there was a forcible seizure and said the debris, which it confirmed was from a Chinese rocket launch, was handed over by Philippine forces after a “friendly consultation”.

“There was no such thing as interception or forcible seizure at the scene,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

It was the latest flare-up in long-seething territorial disputes in the strategic waterway involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Chinese coast guard ships have blocked Philippine supply boats delivering supplies to Filipino forces in the disputed waters in the past but seizing objects in the possession of another nation’s military constitutes a more brazen act.

Metal debris from Chinese rocket launches, some showing part of what appeared to be a Chinese flag, has been found in Philippine waters in at least three other instances.