China confirms allowing Philippine fishermen access to disputed shoal

beijing — China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday confirmed a decision to allow Philippine fishermen access to a disputed shoal following a visit to Beijing by the Philippine president.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing made “proper arrangements” regarding Scarborough Shoal after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed concern about the matter.

China seized the shoal, located 228 kilometres from the northern Philippines, following a 2012 standoff between the sides, preventing Filipino fishermen from working in the area. Chinese coast guard ships sometimes used water cannons to drive off Filipino fishermen while protecting Chinese boats.

However, fishermen said over the weekend that the Chinese coast guard had allowed them to again fish in the area following Duterte’s recent visit, which officials say resulted in a major improvement in bilateral ties.

The visit marked a “comprehensive improvement of China Philippines relations. Given the circumstance, regarding the issue President Duterte was highly concerned about, China made proper arrangements on the issue based on the friendship between China and the Philippines,” Hua told reporters at a daily briefing.

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said a navy plane spotted at least four Chinese coast guard ships around the shoal during a surveillance flight on Saturday. —