China justifies installation of floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal

China has defended its move to install the floating barrier in the southeastern portion of Scarborough Shoal which prevents Filipino fishermen from entering the shoal for their livelihood activities.

In a press conference on Monday (Manila time), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin also insisted on China's sovereign rights over Scarborough Shoal which they referred to as Huangyan Dao.

"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 said.

"On September 22, a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines, without China's permission, intruded into the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao and attempted to enter its lagoon," he added.

Earlier this week, the Philippine Coast Guard reported the presence of the floating barrier around Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

The PCG said that the floating barrier was purportedly installed by the China Coast Guard.

However, Wang said that the CCG's actions were "necessary."

"China Coast Guard did what was necessary to block and drive away the Philippine vessel. The steps it took were professional and restrained," he said.

Located 120 nautical miles from Zambales, Bajo de Masinloc is considered a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.

China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

The 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea invalidated Beijing's historic nine-dash line claim in the entire South China Sea.