The Escalating Tensions in the South China Sea Between the Philippines and China

For a long time, the South China Sea has been a source of tensions between the Philippines and China, with the two countries having competing claims over this resource-rich body of water. The situation has peaked in the last few months with some forms of confrontations and disputes having broken out between the two states.

Recent Disputes in the South China Sea

December 2023: The Philippines alleged Chinese coast guard vessels ramming a supply boat carrying Filipino chief of staff near the Second Thomas Shoal. However, China asserted that the collision was “deliberately caused” after disregarding their “multiple stern warnings”.

December 2023: Chinese state media put Philippine government on alert over “provoking trouble and chaos” in the South China Sea, accusing Manila of encroaching on China’s territory and taking a huge miscalculation risk.

March 2024: China employed water cannons against a Philippine ship which was on a supplies delivery mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era landing ship which the Philippines has intentionally docked on the contested Second Thomas Shoal (also known as Ren’ai Reef) since 1999 so it can serve as a fort.

April 2024: These tensions got worse when China’s saber-rattling in the South China Sea was considered a way to intimidate Manila to reconsider its ties with the US.

Substitute Components and Territorial Claims

The South China Sea disputes are basically the claim over the ownership of the Spratly Islands which are a cluster of islands, cays, and reefs in the said region. China has a historically large claim over the South China Sea which utilizes its “nine-dash line”, but the judgement of an international court did not agree with that claim in 2016. The Philippines, however, has supported its claims on parts of the Spratly Islands, namely the Second Thomas Shoal (the Ayungin) and Scarborough Shoal. This situation became a protracted struggle between the two powers, each one stressing the other’s hostile actions and acts of provocation.

Implications and Potential Escalation

The recent incidents near the South China Sea have raised security concerns over the danger of a larger-scale conflict, particularly due to United States’ support to the Philippines as a treaty ally. Leading to fatalities or the sinking of a ship is anything considered as a major crisis should be responded by the extremely swift de-escalation efforts for both of China and the US. Fighting the conflicts are also creating wider concerns for regional security and the global peace. The Philippines’ attempts to create accessions with other nations, such as Vietnam, Australia, and Japan, have been seen by China as an act of disrespect, seeking to resolve the disputes only bilaterally. As the issue persists, both the Philippines and China have to strive for dialogues and diplomatic ways to resolve the conflict peacefully, while maintaining the provisions of the international law and the rights of other actors.