- China’s Coast Guard Accused of Obstructing Philippine Military Boat
- Dangerous Maneuvers and Violations: China’s Actions in the South China Sea
- International Responses and US Support for the Philippines
Sunday, the Philippines accused China’s coast guard of obstructing and water-cannoning a Philippine military supply boat in the South China Sea, condemning China’s “excessive and offensive actions” against Philippine vessels.
China’s coast guard said it had legal restrictions to discourage Philippine ships from trespassing and delivering illicit building materials.
The international community rejects China’s claim of sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea. Whereas Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, and the Philippines have diverse claims to certain areas.
Beijing frequently irritates its neighbors with what they perceive as aggressive maritime actions and long-term activities. Such as constructing islands on reefs and outfitting them with missiles and runways.
Saturday, a Chinese coast guard vessel blocked and water-cannoned a chartered Philippine boat on a routine troop rotation and resupply mission, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said. This was done “in flagrant disregard for the safety of the people on board and in violation of international law.”
It stated in a statement that the incident occurred near Second Thomas Shoal, which Manila refers to as Ayungin Shoal, a submerged reef where a small contingent of Philippine soldiers resides on a rusty US ship from World War II that was purposefully grounded in 1999.
The Chinese coast guard’s “dangerous manoeuvres” stopped a second vessel from offloading supplies and finishing its mission.
The armed forces stated, “We call on the China Coast Guard and the Central Military Commission to act prudently and responsibly to prevent miscalculations and accidents that endanger human lives.”
China Coast Guard spokesperson Guan Yu said China had “indisputable” sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and their waterways. Including the Second Thomas Shoal.
Gan posted on the WeChat account of the coast guard, “We implore the Philippine government to immediately cease its illegal activities in these waters.”
China breached two international conventions and an international court judgement, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague dismissed Beijing’s massive South China Sea claim in 2016. China maintains that it rejects all claims and actions based on the ruling.
A spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard, Commodore Jay Tarriela, called on the China Coast Guard to “restrain its forces, respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, refrain from impeding freedom of navigation, and take appropriate action against the individuals involved in this unlawful incident.”
After the incident, the U.S. State Department stated that China’s “repeated threats to the status quo in the South China Sea (were) directly threatening regional peace and stability.” And that Washington stands with its Philippine allies against such “dangerous actions”.
“The United States reaffirms that an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces. Including Coast Guard operations in the South China Sea would violate Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty “official statement.
