Philippines-China Clash
Tension is rising further after the Philippines accused China of ramming and towing one of its ships in the West Philippines Sea. This is the latest in a series of confrontations. At this point, they are trading accusations over a collision at sea. Manila says its armed forces will resist Beijing’s actions. On the 17th of June, the Philippines’ task force said Chinese vessels rammed and towed one of its boats. “China’s dangerous and reckless behaviour in the West Philippine Sea shall be resisted by the Armed Forces,” Gilberto Teodoro, Manila’s Defence Minister, said in a statement. The Philippines refers to the portion of the South China Sea that it claims as the West Philippine Sea.
U.S. Reaction
The U.S. condemned the “escalatory and irresponsible” actions by China. It also reaffirmed the mutual defence treaty. In fact, the treaty applies to any armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, vessels, or aircraft anywhere in the South China Sea. “This kind of behaviour is provocative. It’s reckless. It’s unnecessary,” John Kirby, the U.S. White House National Security Communications Advisor said. Adding, “and could lead to misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to something much bigger and much more violent. It’s imperative that the rightful legal maritime claims by the Philippines are respected.”
China’s Warning
China has also warned the Philippines about intruding into what it says are its territorial waters. It issued new rules, effective June 15. The rule enforces a 2021 law allowing its Coast Guard to use lethal force against foreign ships in waters it claims. In fact, the new rules allow China’s coastguard to detain suspected trespassers without trial for 60 days.
Philippines Files Claim
Coupled with the new rules, China also condemned the Philippines for filing a claim with the U.N. on the 15th of June for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea. Significantly, it seems, Manila is trying to rub in a Permanent Court of Arbitration 2016 ruling that found China’s sweeping claims have no legal basis. It’s a ruling Beijing explicitly rejects.
