China Government rejects Philippine complaint on ships

China recently rejected Philippine protest about the Chinese survey ships operating in the gas-rich area Philippine’s exclusive economic zone EEZ, and has lodged separate complaint about the confinement of Chinese workers, as the tensions persist.

Philippine President Aquino said that two Chinese survey ships had been sighted in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) also claimed by Philippines called as Reed Bank.

In a report faxed by Reuters, the Foreign Ministry of China said that Reed Bank was Chinese their territory.

"The Survey activities that have been carried out by the Chinese survey vessels are appropriate, beyond approach and legal," ministry said.

Tensions in South China Sea among Philippines and China initiated in 2011 when the Chinese patrol ships harassed survey ship hired by Anglo Filipino Forum Energy PLC which won a contact to explore the rich oil area.

Two to three Chinese vessels seen regularly on patrol around Scarborough Shoal, another disputed South China Sea.