A recent clash near a contested reef in the South China Sea has escalated tensions between the Philippines and China. The Philippines accused China of aggressive maneuvers, including harassment and blocking, during the incident.
The altercation occurred just a day after the Philippines claimed that China used water cannons to obstruct three of its vessels. The contested area, the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, has long been a focal point of territorial contention between the two nations.
According to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, a Chinese coast guard ship rammed one of two Philippine boats delivering supplies, causing severe damage to the boat’s engine using water cannons. However, the China Coast Guard countered the accusation, alleging that the Philippine boat intentionally collided with their vessel despite multiple warnings.
In a separate incident, civilian boats aiming to deliver Christmas provisions to Filipino fishermen and troops in the South China Sea had to cancel their voyage due to continuous monitoring by Chinese vessels. These events follow the Philippines’ prior allegations of Chinese use of water cannons to hinder their vessels, which China defended as necessary control measures for intruding into its waters.
Tensions between the Philippines and China have been escalating, especially since Ferdinand Marcos Jr assumed the Philippine presidency. Recent joint patrols conducted by the Philippines with the US and Australia indicate the deepening rift over competing sovereignty claims.
The international tribunal’s 2016 ruling invalidated China’s expansive claim over 90% of the South China Sea, yet China disregards this decision, continuing to construct artificial islands within the disputed waters.
This territorial dispute not only strains relations between the Philippines and China but also poses challenges for China-US relations, with the contested waters becoming a focal point. President Joe Biden’s commitment to defend the Philippines in case of an attack further underscores the gravity of the situation, especially following recent collisions between Filipino and Chinese vessels.
Notably, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei also assert claims to portions of the South China Sea, further complicating the regional dynamics and adding to the complexity of the ongoing disputes.
