US Envoy Says China Activities Near Philippines ‘Of Concern’

A China Coast Guard vessel attempts to block a Philippine government vessel as the latter tries to enter the China Second Thomas Disputed Shoals, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, to orate Philippine troops and resupply provisions on March 29, 2014. Bullit Marquez/AP

BANGKOK—The presence of large numbers of Chinese vessels near islands and islets occupied by the Philippines is “a concern,” a senior U.S. defense official said on April 5.

The Philippine government protested the Chinese ship movements Thursday after its military monitored more than 200 Chinese vessels from January-March in a disputed area named Sandy Cay, which is near the Philippine-occupied island of Pag-asa.