The conflict in the South China Sea

  

Image of the new Chinese map. Andy Wong / AP  

 

The conflict in the South China Sea  

Growing anger at Beijing's claims in new official map  

 

The Philippines and Malaysia are backing India's angry reaction to China, after Beijing, through an updated official map, claimed disputed areas in the South China Sea, reports Al Jazeera, among others.  

 

According to a statement from Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Beijing stands for "unilateral claims" over the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia. 

 

This year's edition of China's official map was released on Tuesday, prompting immediate reactions from the Indian side. In that case, it is about China drawing in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and the region of Aksai Chin as Chinese 

 

 Chinese Coast Guard, stock photo. Aaron Favila / AP 

 

Fishing boats shadowed by China: "We are very afraid"  

 

Philippine fishing boats have been caught in the crosshairs of the conflict between China and the Philippines over areas in the South China Sea, the BBC reports. 

 

According to the British public service company, a "cat and mouse game" is going on between the countries' coast guards, and fisherman Benjo Atay says that Chinese vessels are also pursuing his vessel.  

On Tuesday, Beijing released a new official map claiming a series of disputed areas in the South China Sea. Among other things, it concerns a coral island just under 20 miles off the Philippine island of Palawan.  

 

Benjo Atay, 30, has been fishing at the coral island since he was 14, but it is uncertain whether he will go there again, even though Manila sees it as Filipino.  

 

- We are very scared.