It is to laugh: "China says Manila provoking trouble in seas ahead of legal case"

Best unintentional humor item of the day from the bully of the South China Sea: "China says Manila provoking trouble in seas ahead of legal case":

China accused the Philippines on Monday of deliberately provoking trouble in the South China Sea by delivering supplies to a contested military outpost at the same time as seeking international arbitration in the dispute.

A Philippine vessel delivered food, water and fresh troops to Second Thomas Shoal over the weekend, evading two Chinese coastguard ships trying to block its path.

 Right, this is all Manila's fault for not bending to China's will. 

Some background at South China Sea: China Keep Raising Heat Over Disputed Island Claims.

Oh, those plucky Filipinos - outrageously taking food and water and replacements to a beached LST that represents their outpost on islands China wants because . . . oil and gas.

And maritime dominance of the South China Sea.

Reuters report of resupply adventure here:

Things were going smoothly for the Philippine ship until it was spotted by a Chinese coastguard ship about an hour away from the Second Thomas Shoal. The Chinese boat picked up speed to come near the left of the white Philippine ship, honking its horn at least three times.

The Chinese ship slowed down after a few minutes, but then a bigger coastguard vessel emerged, moving fast to cut the path of the Philippine boat.

The Chinese sent a radio message to the Filipinos, saying they were entering Chinese territory.

"We order you to stop immediately, stop all illegal activities and leave," said the radio message, delivered in English. Gato replied that his mission was to deliver provisions to Philippine troops stationed in the area.

Philippine troops wearing civilian clothes and journalists then flashed "V" for the peace sign at the Chinese.
***
Instead of stopping or reversing, the Philippine vessel picked up speed and eventually maneuvered away from the Chinese, entering waters that were too shallow for the bigger coastguard ships.

A U.S. navy plane, a Philippine military aircraft and a Chinese plane, all visible from their markings, flew above the ships at different intervals.

I guess we need to look at the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone.

See here for more on the ROP view and the source of the above image.