The Philippines accused China’s coast guard of harassment and damaging one of its boats in the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area of the South China Sea. Despite China claiming to have expelled two Philippine vessels from the shoal, the Philippine coast guard stated that they stood their ground and one of their vessels sustained damage from water cannon used by the Chinese coast guard ships. The Scarborough Shoal is a key battleground in the South China Sea and no country has sovereignty over it, as it falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
China has occupied the Scarborough Shoal for over a decade and waters around the lagoon have been the site of multiple confrontations in recent years. The Philippine coast guard spokesperson stated that China had installed a floating barrier at the shoal’s entrance, effectively restricting access to the area. Both countries have traded accusations of illegal conduct in the area, with the Philippines summoning a Chinese diplomat to explain what they see as aggressive maneuvers. China typically accuses the Philippines of encroaching on its territory, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
China and the Philippines had previously agreed to seek better communications and management of skirmishes in the South China Sea, but recent incidents have increased tensions. The Philippines has been strengthening its diplomatic and military ties with the United States, which is seen as an ally against China’s growing influence in the region. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which is a crucial shipping route for over $3 trillion of annual commerce. Parts of the South China Sea are also claimed by other countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis, a decision that Beijing rejected. The conflict over territorial claims in the South China Sea continues to be a source of tension between China and its neighboring countries. Despite efforts from both sides to manage and improve communications around skirmishes, incidents like the one at the Scarborough Shoal highlight the ongoing challenges in the region. The Philippines remains determined to support its fishermen and ensure their safety in the disputed waters, even as tensions with China escalate.
