China Enhances Patrolling Around Disputed Islands in South China Sea – Coast Guard
The frigate Enshi (Hull 627), Yongzhou (Hull 628), Bazhong (Hull 625), and Wuzhou (Hull 626) steam in formation during a 9-day maritime training exercise in waters of the South China Sea in late November, 2020. They are attached to a frigate flotilla of the navy under the PLA Southern Theater Command.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – China continues to intensify patrols around the Huangyan Islands, also known as Scarborough Reef and disputed between Beijing and several countries in the region, the Chinese Coast Guard said on Friday. “On December 27, China Coast Guard conducted law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters of China’s Huangyan Islands and surrounding areas,” the maritime police said on WeChat. Since December, the Chinese Coast Guard “continued to strengthen patrols in the territorial waters and adjacent areas of Huangyan, preventing and dislodging illegally intruding vessels, so as to further strengthen control over relevant maritime areas and resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.” The territorial affiliation of several islands in the South China Sea has been the subject of disputes between China and several other Asia-Pacific countries for decades. Significant oil and gas reserves have been discovered on the continental shelf of those islands, including the Paracel Islands, the Spratly Islands, Thitu Island, and Scarborough Shoal. Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines are part of the disputes. 
WorldUS, Allies ‘Intensify Coordination’ in Smearing China in South China Sea4 September, 04:09 GMTThe situation in the South China Sea is often complicated by the passage of US warships, which, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, violate international law and undermine China’s sovereignty and security. Despite Beijing’s protests, Washington has insisted on its right to sail wherever international law permits.
