Philippines coast guard confronts Chinese vessels making dangerous manoeuvres in South China Sea

A confrontation involving the Philippines Coast Guard and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea has escalated tensions between the two nations. The incident took place during a week-long patrol mission in the strategically important waterway, coinciding with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s visit to Manila to meet his Philippine counterpart and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

China claims a majority of the South China Sea, where an estimated US$3 trillion worth of goods pass through every year. The Philippines has consistently urged Beijing to cease its “aggressive activities” within the area.

Throughout the patrol mission from April 18 to April 24, the Philippines Coast Guard identified over 100 alleged Chinese maritime militia vessels, one People’s Liberation Army Navy corvette class, and two China Coast Guard vessels within the Philippines’ 322-kilometre exclusive economic zone. The Coast Guard stated that one Chinese vessel engaged in dangerous manoeuvres approximately 46 metres away from a Philippine ship. Additionally, two other ships displayed aggressive tactics, posing a significant threat to the safety and security of the Philippine vessel and its crew, reports CNA.

The Chinese embassy in Manila has not issued any immediate statement in response to the matter.

Earlier in February, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese counterpart vessel had directed a military-grade laser at one of its ships engaged in a resupply mission for troops in the disputed waterway. This action temporarily blinded the crew members on the ship’s bridge.

The South China Sea dispute is a long-standing issue involving six governments, including China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan, who stake various territorial claims in the region, based on historical and geographical grounds. The area is believed to be rich in natural resources, including oil and gas reserves, and has significant geopolitical significance.

As a result, heightened tensions between the Philippines and China have led to increasingly frequent skirmishes and standoffs at sea. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute have yielded limited results so far, with neither party willing to forfeit their claims to the vast and resource-rich region.

The recent confrontation between the Philippines Coast Guard and the Chinese vessels marks another episode in the ongoing dispute. It remains to be seen if this incident will further strain relations between the two countries or if it will present an opportunity for more constructive dialogue in the pursuit of a long-term resolution.

International observers are likely to monitor the situation closely, with the South China Sea standing as a vital artery for global trade and commerce. Additionally, the strategic significance of the waterway and the potential for conflict within the region will remain a concern for nations beyond the parties directly involved in the territorial dispute.