Philippines takes down Chinese barriers in disputed South China Sea region.

The Philippines has announced that it has removed a floating barrier that China had installed in the South China Sea to block Philippine fishing boats from entering a contested area. The Philippines coast guard took this action following instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Junior. Manila claims that China violated its fishing rights in the Scarborough Shoal with the 1,000ft barrier. Despite China claiming over 90% of the South China Sea and seizing the shoal in 2012, Beijing defended the actions of its coast guard, stating they were necessary measures. The Philippines coast guard stated that the barrier posed a hazard to navigation and hindered the fishing activities of Filipino fisherfolk. The shoal is considered an integral part of the Philippine national territory. The barrier was discovered by a patrol on Friday, with three Chinese coast guard boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat installing it when the Philippine vessel arrived. Japan has urged calm and emphasized that the South China Sea is vital for regional stability. China's expansive claims have not only angered the Philippines but also Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. The US has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the disputed waters and maintains that it does not take sides in territorial disputes. China seized the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, displacing Philippine fishermen, but later allowed them to return when relations improved under former President Rodrigo Duterte. However, tensions have risen again since Ferdinand Marcos Jr became president, as he restored security ties with the US and granted American troops broader access to Philippine military bases, which China strongly opposes.