Photo courtesy from MAF China and PCG

China maintained its sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Dao.

The Philippines earlier accused the China Coast Guard of installing a floating barrier in the disputed area around Scarborough Shoal. The Manila Coast Guard strongly condemned the installation of this barrier.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, addressed the accusations and concerns in a recent press conference:

"Huangyan Dao has always been China's territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and its adjacent waters and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters."

Wang Wenbin said that on September 22, a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines entered the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao without China's permission and attempted to enter its lagoon.

He said that the China Coast Guard took action to block and drive away the Philippine vessel, saying that their actions were professional and restrained.

Wang Wenbin did not directly address the issue of the floating barrier.