China Coast Guard 'blocks medical evacuation of sick Filipino soldier' in South China Sea

The China Coast Guard (CCG) allegedly blocked another medical evacuation of a Filipino soldier in a contested part of the South China Sea.

Footage shows several CCG boats surrounding two smaller Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels heading to the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War II ship used as a Philippine military outpost, to pick up an ill soldier in Ayungin Shoal on July 7.

PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said: 'The PCG faced numerous obstructing and delaying maneuvers by CCG vessels, but they remained steadfast to their humanitarian mission and was able to complete the transfer of the sick personnel from the LS-57 RHIB to the PCG RHIB.

'Despite the threatening presence of various CCG small vessels, the PCG RHIB was able to return to the main PCG vessel without further interruption. The sick personnel was then provided with urgent medical attention. The personnel is now stable. '

Meanwhile, China said it had 'allowed' the medical evacuation on humanitarian grounds.

The Philippines last month accused China of blocking efforts to evacuate sick personnel in the same area, calling its actions 'barbaric and inhumane'.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.