The South China Sea once again became the focal point of intensified maritime tensions after a collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels. The incident, occurring on Sunday, witnessed China’s coastguard obstructing Philippine boats engaged in resupplying forces in the disputed waters.
The backdrop to the confrontation is the prolonged history of run-ins between the two nations, particularly around the contentious Second Thomas Shoal, nestled within the Spratly Islands. Historically, the Philippines has deployed supplies to its troops aboard a deteriorating World War Two-era vessel serving as an outpost at the shoal. China’s reaction to these missions has been consistently adversarial, with its coastguard employing blockade tactics to thwart the resupply attempts.
The situation escalated on Sunday morning. China’s coastguard reported a “slight collision” involving one of their vessels and a Philippine boat. According to them, the coastguard was “lawfully” intercepting the Philippine boat, alleging it transported “illegal construction materials” to the old warship.
Manila was quick to voice its dissent. In a sharply-worded statement, it condemned China’s “dangerous blocking manoeuvres”. Further, it berated Beijing’s “dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions” which were perceived as a breach of “Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction”, as outlined by Manila’s Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.
China’s claim over the South China Sea has been a perennial point of contention. Beijing asserts dominion over nearly the entire region, encompassing portions of exclusive economic zones belonging to multiple Southeast Asian nations. Notably, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China’s territorial claims lacked legal standing.
The Chinese foreign ministry weighed in on Sunday, portraying China as the patient party. They stated, “China has maintained great restraint and patience on the issue.” Emphasizing long-standing communication channels with Manila, the ministry expressed disappointment over what they viewed as Manila’s disregard for China’s goodwill.
China remains unyielding in its stance, insisting on enforcing measures in line with both domestic and international norms to protect its territorial sovereignty.
Images circulating from the incident depict a Philippine boat, hindered by a China Coast Guard ship, culminating in a collision between the two in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
International Reactions to the Incident
The diplomatic waters further roiled as international powers weighed in. The U.S., a close ally of the Philippines, promptly voiced its support. The U.S. State Department criticized China for its continued “harassment” in the South China Sea, denouncing such acts as “dangerous and unlawful.”
Echoing this sentiment, both the Canadian and Japanese embassies in Manila rallied behind the Philippines, expressing grave concerns over the collision. Luc Veron, the European Union’s ambassador, didn’t mince words, stating, “These incidents, their repetition and intensification are dangerous and very disturbing.”
Recent geopolitical shifts have seen Manila-Beijing relations deteriorate, especially under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Marcos has sought deeper military ties with Washington since assuming office. In a notable commitment, the Pentagon, earlier this year, guaranteed protection for the Philippines against any maritime threat in the South China Sea.
Just last week, another incident ruffled diplomatic feathers. The Philippine military raised an alarm over a Chinese navy ship tailing and trying to intercept a Philippine navy boat engaged in a resupply mission.
Sunday’s mishap occurred during what Manila termed a routine resupply operation, involving a vessel contracted by the Philippine armed forces. In a subsequent event during the same mission, a Philippine coastguard ship was reportedly sideswiped by a Chinese maritime militia vessel. The Philippine task force decried the actions of the Chinese vessel, holding it responsible for endangering the safety of the Philippine boat’s crew.
China’s coastguard, however, offered a different narrative. They claimed the Philippine vessel disregarded multiple warnings, crossed their ship’s bow, and intentionally instigated the clash. “The Philippines’ behaviour seriously violates international maritime collision norms, compromising our vessels’ navigational safety,” their statement read.
A historical context to the prolonged dispute is the BRP Sierra Madre warship, grounded by Manila in 1999. This strategic move asserted its sovereignty claim to the Second Thomas Shoal, lying within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
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