MANILA: The Philippines described the actions of Chinese vessels against its boats carrying out South China Sea resupply missions over the weekend as a "serious escalation".
In the latest in a series of confrontations, Manila accused Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels of repeatedly firing water cannon at its resupply boats and deliberately ramming another near the Second Thomas Shoal.
HOW BAD HAS IT BECOME?
In recent years , Manila and Beijing have been embroiled in confrontations at the Second Thomas Shoal as China has become more assertive in pressing its maritime claims, alarming rival claimants and other states operating in the South China Sea, including the United States.
China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Taiwan, which China also claims as part of its territory, has said it does not accept Beijing's maps.
While this was not the first time that China's coastguard vessels had fired water cannon at Philippine boats, the latest incident caused serious engine damage to one of the resupply vessels that it had to be towed back to the port preventing it from completing it mission.
The Philippines military chief was onboard another boat which was also fired on by water cannoned and rammed while transporting food and water for Filipino soldiers living aboard the aging navy ship, BRP Sierra Madre.
Sierre Madre was deliberately grounded by the Manila on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert its sovereign rights over the atoll, that lies within the Philippines' EEZ.
Philippine Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Romeo Brawner, told a radio interview he was unhurt and that he does not believe China knew he was on the boat. But Manila has summoned Beijing's ambassador and filed diplomatic protests over what it called China's "aggressive" actions that were a "threat to peace, good order and security".
China's foreign ministry said it has lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with the Philippine side over the collision it blamed on Manila, which has accused Beijing of spreading false narratives.
WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT FOR BOTH SIDES?
China's repeated attempts to blockade the Second Thomas Shoal, located less than 200 nautical miles from Philipines' province of Palawan, has made the submerged reef a flashpoint for conflict between Manila and Beijing.
Philippine officials and security experts fear Beijing is plotting to take over the shoal and militarise it as it did with Mischief Reef, which lies just 25 miles from the shoal.
"The shoal is a good site for a military base and China has the money to turn it into one," said Jonathan Malaya, a senior official at the Philippines' National Security Council. "That's why they wanted it."
China, which has deployed vessels to patrol there, has repeatedly called on the Philippines to tow away the ship based on what it says was a "promise" made by Manila, but Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr denied such a pact existed. If there ever were such a deal, he was rescinding it, he said.
Jay Batongbacal, a Manila-based expert on maritime law, has said Second Thomas Shoal is not only close to the Philippines, but is also close to the sea lines of communication passing through the Palawan passage, making it an ideal extension of Mischief Reef.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS IF THE TREND CONTINUES?
The latest confrontations are likely to further strain relations between the Philippines and Beijing, which have grown tense under Marcos. He has increasingly accused China of aggressive behaviour, while he has sought closer ties with the United States.
But Justin Baquisal, National Security Analyst at FACTS Asia, thinks that would not affect the overall shape of high-level China-Philippines relations, since "a lot of the tit-for-tat on the South China Sea issue only happens at the ground-level."
Philippine officials have also said that disputes in the South China Sea were not the sum of the country's relationship with China, which is among the Philippines' top trading partners.
Marcos has also kept the conversations with his Chinese counterpart going, and at the sidelines of an economic summit in San Francisco last month he and President Xi met to formulate ways forward in the South China Sea.
Reuters
Sat Dec 16 2023
A Chinese Coast Guard ship uses a water cannon against a Filipino resupply vessel heading towards the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, in the South China Sea, December 10, 2023. - Philippine Coast Guard/via REUTERS
'It starts now': South Korea's President Yoon defiant as police closed in
Yoon Suk-Yeol remains in detention and is refusing to talk to investigators.
Japanese woman charged with concealing baby's birth
Noda Junko pleaded not guilty to a charge of concealing the birth of a baby girl by dumping the infant in a shopping mall toilet in Cheras.
ASEAN Sec-Gen attends 4th ADGMIN + U.S. meeting
ADGMIN the U.S. is a series of meetings between the ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting (ADGMIN) and the United States.
Najib admits relying on Jho Low's assistance despite doubts and discomfort
Najib reveals that on March 6, 2015, Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong told him Jho Low was guilty of wrongdoing and should be investigated.
Malaysia, UK strengthen trade and investment ties in inaugural ministerial-led Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting
The UK was Malaysia's 21st-largest trading partner from January to November 2024 and the fourth-largest trading partner in Europe.
448 children from GISB homes returned to their families - Nancy
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri assures parents wishing to reclaim their children need not worry and encouraged them to approach the ministry.
TikTok's fight against going dark gains support from key US lawmakers
The prospect of a TikTok ban has already triggered some users to seek alternatives.
China's population falls for a third consecutive year
The National Bureau of Statistics says the total number of people in China dropped by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion in 2024.
Hardline Israeli minister Ben-Gvir threatens to quit over Gaza deal
Itamar Ben-Gvir says he would resign from Netanyahu's govt if it ratifies the ceasefire deal in Gaza, which he has strongly opposed.
US says Gaza ceasefire to start as planned despite 'loose end'
We're tying up that loose end as we speak, says Antony Blinken.
Meta's 'Community Notes' model will not apply to paid ads
Community Notes on Meta Platforms will be enabled for organic content, posts that Meta hasn't been paid to promote.
South Korea investigators to file request to extend President Yoon's detention
Investigators must request court approval for a detention warrant to hold Yoon Suk-Yeol in custody for up to 20 more days.
Israel set to approve Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal, Netanyahu's office says
The security cabinet would meet on Friday before a full meeting of the cabinet later to approve the deal, Netanyahu's office says.
Bird feathers, blood found in both engines of crashed jet in South Korea, source says
Two minutes before the pilot declared the Mayday emergency call, air traffic control had urged caution due to "bird activity" in the area.
TNB’s UK venture in RE to benefit Malaysia in tech transfer - PM
The Prime Minister emphasises that Malaysia is actively seeking new investments in the RE sector, driven by robust economic growth.
PM visits Battersea Power Station, Malaysia’s iconic and largest investment in UK
Battersea Power Station is one of Europe's largest regeneration projects.
Meta in final process to obtain ASP Class Licence - Fahmi
The Communications Minister is also in talks with Microsoft as LinkedIn's Malaysian users may surpass 8 mln in the first quarter of 2025.
What can Trump do through executive orders?
An executive order is an order issued unilaterally by the president that has the force of law.
How many Palestinians has Israel's Gaza offensive killed?
This explainer examines how the Palestinian toll is calculated, how reliable it is, the breakdown of civilians and fighters killed.
How a TikTok ban would work - and why user workarounds won't
At best, users might be able to access a web-based version of the service that has fewer features than the app and even that might not work.