Philippines: The Philippine authorities have accused a Chinese coast guard of colliding with a Filipino supply boat in the South China Sea. The Filipino vessel was moving towards a Philippine outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal, where tensions have surged recently.
Manila commented that China’s “dangerous blocking manoeuvres” are endangering the safety of the Filipino crew. Beijing replied that the Philippines “deliberately stirred up trouble”.
Chinese and Philippine ships often engage in conflicts around the shoal because a few Filipino soldiers stationed on the outpost require monthly rations.
However, Filipino authorities noted that China has grown more aggressive following the assumption of office by Philippine President Mr. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in June 2022. Since coming to power, the Philippine leader has sought closer military ties with Washington, Beijing’s chief rival for influence in the strategic sea.
In a second incident, which is also near Second Thomas Shoal, Filipino authorities said a Chinese militia vessel bumped into a Philippine coast guard ship. “A second supply ship was able to reach the Philippine outpost in the shoal,” Manila said.
China claims authority over almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratlys, where the Second Thomas Shoal is located. Beijing’s claims to the sea overlap with claims by other countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam.
In 2016, an international arbitration court at The Hague ruled that China’s vast sea claims had no basis, acting on a case brought forth by the Philippines.
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