Beijing has issued a warning regarding the possibility of remnants from its recent Long March 5 launch impacting an area in the South China Sea. In response, the Philippines refuted China's accusation of territorial encroachment, asserting that it is not provoking conflict in the disputed sea.

Beijing's maritime safety administration issued a warning about potential debris from its recently deployed Long March 5 rocket. The debris is expected to fall off the coast of China's island province of Hainan. This alert follows the sixth deployment of China's most powerful launch vehicle.

China conducted the sixth launch of its Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang launch site in Hainan. This event marked the latest deployment of the rocket type, which has been in operation for approximately seven years since its inaugural flight.

According to China's state news agency Xinhua, the satellite is designated for tasks such as land surveys, crop yield assessments, environmental management, meteorological warning, and forecasting, as well as disaster prevention and relief.

Chinese media revealed that the powerful Long March 5 rocket, known for launching substantial payloads, carried an unusually large payload of 18.5 meters, exceeding the typical 12.267 meters. Notably, Beijing has not shared public images of the satellite. China continues to receive criticism from the European Space Agency and NASA for its lack of safe deorbiting measures for the core stages of its rockets after reaching orbit.

China's People's Daily accuses the Philippines of relying on US support to provoke conflicts, labeling their behaviour as "extremely dangerous." In response, the Philippine military spokesperson asserts that they adhere to international law, implementing domestic law within territorial waters. The spokesperson further accuses Beijing of dangerous maneuvers leading to collisions at sea.

Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Manila asserted that the Philippines is escalating tensions by delivering construction supplies to its grounded navy vessel on the Second Thomas Shoal.

Citing the Chinese foreign ministry, the Chinese embassy in Manila asserted that the Philippines, with external support, has disregarded China's goodwill and restraint, repeatedly challenging its principles and red lines. Tensions between the two nations have heightened in recent months, engaging in a war of words over the South China Sea. The situation escalated further when, earlier this month, China allegedly rammed a ship carrying the Philippines' military chief.

Image source: Reuters