China, The Philippines and the West Philippine Sea

China has been harassing Philippine boats and ships to try to drive out the Philippines from its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

China covets the fishing and rich mineral deposits that are well within the 200 mile nautical mile area within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. To that end, China’s coast guard ships have collided with Philippine boats, blasted Philippine fishing ships with powerful water cannons and slashed inflatable crafts.

China's aggressive actions have taken a big economic toll on Filipino fisherfolk, making it more difficult for them to earn a living from their livelihood.

"China's Risky Power Play in the South China Sea" by Agnes Chang, Camille Elemia and Muyi Xiao for The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/15/world/asia/south-china-s…

"How Chinese incursion in West PH Sea pushes Filipino fisherfolk ‘deeper into poverty’" by Dwight De Leon for Rappler
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/how-chinese-incursion-west…

"Filipino fisherfolk assert rights on West PH Sea over China’s ‘detention orders’" by Dominic Gutoman for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2024/05/20/filipino-fisherfolk-assert-rights-o…