MANILA. Tensions escalated in the disputed South China Sea on Tuesday as Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels clashed, resulting in injuries to four Filipino crew members in a series of high-seas confrontations. The incident occurred as Southeast Asian leaders convened for an Asian summit, with anticipated discussions on Beijing’s maritime aggression.
According to Philippine officials, Chinese coast guard ships obstructed Philippine coast guard and supply vessels near the contested Second Thomas Shoal, executing perilous maneuvers that led to two minor collisions between the Chinese and Philippine ships.
“The actions by the Chinese were another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission,” stated the Philippine government task force dealing with territorial disputes, condemning China’s actions as endangering lives and causing actual injury to Filipinos.
In response, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila summoned China’s deputy ambassador to convey a protest, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Chinese vessels from the vicinity of Ayungin shoal, as per the Philippine name for the contested area.
The Second Thomas Shoal, claimed by both China and the Philippines, has been a focal point of tensions, with China surrounding the atoll with coast guard, navy, and other ships to press its claims and prevent Filipino forces from fortifying their position on the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting warship stranded in the area since the late 1990s.
The Chinese coast guard attributed the clashes to Philippine vessels “illegally intruding” into waters adjacent to Ren’ai Reef, as China refers to Second Thomas Shoal. A spokesperson for the Chinese coast guard claimed that a Philippine ship deliberately rammed a Chinese vessel, causing minor damage.
The United States condemned China’s actions, reaffirming its support for the Philippines and proponents of international law. Australia and Japan also expressed concern over the incident.
Amid escalating tensions, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his administration’s commitment to managing threats to territorial integrity through dialogue and diplomacy during a visit to Australia. The South China Sea disputes are anticipated to be discussed at the upcoming summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their Australian counterpart.
The latest clash underscores the ongoing challenge in de-escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes involve multiple claimants, including Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
The confrontation between Chinese and Philippine vessels raises concerns over the potential for a broader conflict, particularly given the strategic significance of the South China Sea as a major global trade route and a repository of valuable undersea resources.
Photo credits: Philippine Coast Guard
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
