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| Chinese Fishing Fleet (File Photo) |
Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen expressed concerns with non-military ships as a common flashpoint that causes frequent clashes in the West Philippine Sea while China deploys more heavily armed coast guard vessels in the disputed waters.
“It may have, in fact, very little to do with military ships” given an agreed code in place for navies, he said. “But you may have incidents arising from fishing, you may have incidents arising from white ships (Coast Guard),” Ng said. “Whatever colour ships they are, they can precipitate incidents.”
“China has used its so-called white hull fleet to chase and shoo ships including fishing boats from other countries away from the reefs it claims,” Ng added.
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