Filipino Diver Removes China's Barrier in South China Sea

A Filipino diver successfully removed a floating barrier installed by China in the South China Sea, near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area claimed by both countries. The barrier, consisting of buoys, was installed to prevent Filipino boats from fishing in the area. The incident highlights the ongoing power struggle between Manila and Beijing over their competing maritime claims. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including features hundreds of miles away from its mainland, despite a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal that rejected its claims. The use of civilian fishing vessels as a maritime militia by China has also been criticized.