The Philippine government has issued a diplomatic protest against the frequent disruptive actions of Chinese vessels challenging its ships patrolling the South China Sea. The Filipino Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the protest was against the “unlawful issuance of over 200 radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns by Chinese government vessels.” These provocative actions, announced by the ministry on Oct. 20, were conducted against Philippine authorities who were on their routine patrols in the region. The timing was not specified. Conflicts in the South China Sea have been happening for years with Manila and Beijing, along with neighboring countries, claiming territories and maritime zones. According to the Philippine foreign ministry, the patrols were “legitimate, customary, and routine,” and Beijing’s actions threatened to undermine the existing order in the region. Based on China’s so-called “nine-dash line,” the communist regime claims vast swathes of the South China …