A confrontation between China and the Philippines has escalated tensions in the disputed South China Sea. China’s coastguard says it has expelled Philippine vessels from waters around the Scarborough Shoal, while Manila reports a collision between a Chinese navy vessel and one from its own coastguard while chasing a Philippine patrol boat.
According to Gan Yu, a Chinese coastguard spokesperson, “The China Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with the law, including monitoring, pressing from the outside, blocking and controlling the Philippine vessels to drive them away.” The Philippine boats were intercepted after ignoring warnings, with China describing the operation as “professional, standardised, legitimate and legal”.
However, the Philippines tells a different story. Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, said in a statement that “The [Chinese coastguard vessel] CCG 3104, which was chasing the [Philippine coastguard vessel] BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky manoeuvre from the [Philippine] vessel’s starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] Navy warship.” This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel’s forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy.
The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, has been a flashpoint of tension between China and the Philippines since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. The incident occurred as the Philippine coastguard escorted boats distributing aid to fishermen in the area. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the country’s patrol vessels would “continue to be present” in the area to defend and exercise Manila’s sovereign rights over what it considers to be part of its territory.
Marcos also addressed another source of tension with Beijing, stating China has “misinterpreted” his recent comments saying Manila would be inevitably drawn into a conflict between China and Taiwan should one erupt. “We are, I think for propaganda purposes, misinterpreted,” Marcos said. “War over Taiwan will drag the Philippines kicking and screaming into the conflict. That is what I was trying to say.”
The Philippines has long been concerned about China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea. Despite an international ruling that China’s claims have no legal basis, Beijing continues to assert its presence in the resource-rich waters. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also claim parts of the contested waters.
In response to the incident, Tarriela told AFP that the Chinese crew “never responded” to the Philippine ship’s offer of assistance. During the incident, the BRP Suluan was “targeted with a water cannon” by the Chinese but “successfully” evaded it. The Philippine Coast Guard reaffirms its dedication to safeguarding all maritime operations in the area and wishes for the swift recovery and proper treatment of any affected CCG personnel.