China’s coast guard has fired water cannons at a Philippines vessel during what the latter called a “legitimate patrol” near Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday. The incident marked another instance of rising tensions between Manila and Beijing in their long-standing territorial disputes over the South China Sea, which is rich in fisheries but also believed to hold vast oil reserves beneath its seabed.
The Philippines Coast Guard said that two Chinese vessels fired water cannons at a Philippine ship and a fishing agency vessel near Scarborough Shoal – around 130 miles west of the main island of Luzon in Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The coast guard accused four China Coast Guard ships and six maritime militia vessels controlled by Beijing, operating near disputed territory to the northeast that Vietnam also claims.
Philippine officials have alleged that their two patrol boats sustained “damage” during this confrontation, although there were no reported injuries in Tuesday’s incident – unlike last March when China coast guard ships similarly targeted Philippine vessels in other territorial contests over Second Thomas Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
The Philippines Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela described the Chinese manoeuvres as “dangerous” while China’s coast guard said it had expelled Philippine vessels from waters near Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing calls Huangyan Island. The statement added that this action was taken in accordance with maritime laws because Filipino boats had reportedly encroached into its adjacent territory, the Ren’ai Reef (Second Thomas Shoal).
Beijing has been accused of expanding and militarising features within the South China Sea’s disputed waters. This week saw Chinese coast guard ships deploying a 380-meter barrier that covers Scarborough Shoal’s entrance, effectively restricting access to this strategic location which is rich in fisheries but also believed to hold vast oil reserves beneath its seabed.
The Philippines has protested against China’s actions and accused Beijing of breaking UN arbitration orders. Although tensions flare over this flashpoint of maritime territorial disputes, Manila maintains a mutual defence treaty with Washington which it claims covers Philippine vessels in the contested waterway – raising fears that these incidents could lead to larger conflicts.
Since the recent election victory of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., tensions between Beijing and Manila have heightened compared to his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte’s conciliatory stance on Chinese activities near Scarborough Shoal and other territories claimed by both countries.
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