South China Sea Tensions Flare as China and the Philippines Clash Again

China and the Philippines have engaged in another maritime dispute over a collision in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. This recent incident occurred when Chinese vessels blocked a Philippine boat attempting to resupply forces stationed in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, on October 22. The Philippines has been providing supplies to its troops stationed on a rusted World War II transport ship that serves as an outpost in the shoal, which has prompted China’s coast guard to repeatedly send vessels to obstruct the resupply missions.

China’s coast guard described the recent collision as a “slight collision” with the Philippine boat, asserting that it occurred while the coast guard was lawfully preventing the transport of “illegal construction materials” to the Philippine warship. In response, Manila vehemently condemned the “dangerous blocking manoeuvres” by the Chinese vessel. The Philippines accused China of acting “dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal,” violating Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Tensions have been on the rise as China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within the exclusive economic zones of neighbouring countries. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China’s territorial claims had no legal basis. Recent confrontations in the region have further escalated, with the Philippine military demanding that China halt its “dangerous and offensive” actions. China, on the other hand, warned the Philippines against further provocations, emphasising the violation of its territorial sovereignty.

The Sunday collision occurred during a routine resupply mission conducted by a vessel contracted by the Philippine armed forces. Manila accused the Chinese coast guard vessel of putting the safety of the Philippine boat’s crew at risk through its “provocative, irresponsible, and illegal actions.” In response, China’s coast guard claimed that the Philippine vessel had ignored warnings, crossed the bow of the Chinese ship, and deliberately provoked trouble, causing the collision. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where both nations assert their territorial claims over disputed areas, creating the potential for more confrontations in the future.