The Philippines stated on Tuesday (August 20) that the Chinese coast guard once again rammed a Philippine vessel in the disputed waters of the South China Sea on Monday (August 19). In order to ease this tense situation, the Philippines is considering expanding the scope of agreements with China.
According to Bloomberg, Alexander Lopez, spokesperson for the Manila Maritime Commission, expressed serious concern about the deliberate harassment and infringement of Philippine sovereignty in the South China Sea by China during a televised briefing held at the presidential palace on Tuesday. He stated that the commission is “seriously” studying the recent conflict and has lodged another diplomatic protest against China.
The recent incident occurred near Sabina Shoal, where Manila claims the Philippine vessel was conducting a resupply mission on two islands in the Spratly Island chain that the Philippines occupies. The Chinese coast guard made “aggressive maneuvers,” resulting in a hole being punched into the Philippine vessel.
This collision marks a new flashpoint in the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines. Beijing alleges that the Philippine vessel attempted to “illegally” enter the waters near Sabina Shoal.
Following the collision in this contentious area, Lopez stated that they are studying expanding the scope of agreements with China to alleviate the tensions in the South China Sea.
Lopez mentioned that the “temporary arrangement” between the two countries regarding military resupply missions at Second Thomas Shoal may potentially broaden to cover a “larger area.”
According to Reuters, China’s actions have drawn condemnation from the Philippines’ ally, the United States, labeling them as “dangerous” and “reckless.” Japan also expressed serious concern through its embassy in Manila and reiterated its call for a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea and has deployed its coast guard to protect what it deems as its territory. However, in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims in the South China Sea have no basis in international law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The panel of five arbitrators unanimously decided that under the convention, China has no historic rights based on the “nine-dash line” to the natural resources in the South China Sea. Additionally, it found China’s reclamation and island-building activities in the South China Sea had caused “irreversible harm to the environment” and called for China to cease its activities in the area.
The Philippines has been active in disputed areas within its exclusive economic zone, including conducting resupply missions, which has angered China, viewing these actions as deliberate provocations.