China is floundering in a sea of controversy

China has continued its territorial maneuvers, installing new floating barriers at the entrance to disputed beaches in the South China Sea.

Voice of America reported on February 27 that satellite images showed the Chinese Coast Guard installing a new floating barrier at the entrance to the disputed Scarborough Island (called Huangyan Island by the Chinese) beach in the South China Sea. There are frequent clashes between Chinese ships and Philippine ships.

On February 22, Reuters announced that a floating barrier illegally installed by China was found on the beach not far from the entrance to Scarborough Island through a satellite image taken by Maxar Technology.

However, last week, China's coast guard claimed that the Philippines illegally invaded China's territorial waters and expelled a Philippine ship from the area.

The Philippine Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources sent a vessel last week to patrol Scarborough Island and deliver fuel to local fishermen. Relevant officials said that China's statement is false, and that Philippine ships' activities there are completely legal.