Philippines Tells China to Back Off Its Exercises in South China Sea, Says There's No Basis to Stop Them On 4/28/21 at 11:25 AM EDT The Philippines told China on Wednesday to back off its military exercises in the South China Sea, saying that China has no basis to stop them. While speaking to reporters on, Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that China has "no authority or legal basis to prevent us from conducting these [military] exercises," in the South China Sea, adding that China's claims "have no basis." According to Reuters, the Philippine coast guard and fisheries bureau began maritime exercises in the nation's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard said that the exercises were part of efforts to secure the nation's "maritime jurisdiction." Reuters reported that the Philippine coast guard and fisheries bureau said the exercises are used to counter the "threatening" presence of Chinese boats in the area.