Coast Guard drives off Filipino fishermen

Beijing has confirmed that a law-enforcement action was taken in January against Philippine fishermen who intruded into Chinese waters in the South China Sea, as analysts said Manila is trying to maintain tensions to further its objectives.

The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Wednesday accusing China Coast Guard vessels of "deliberately ramming" three Philippine fishing boats on Jan 29.

That charge was answered on Thursday afternoon by the Foreign Ministry, which said that the Chinese vessels drove off Philippine fishing boats that were "illegally positioned" in the shoals off China's Huangyan Island last month and had refused requests to leave.