Incident Details
According to reports, a Filipino civilian boat carrying supplies to troops at an outpost in the West Philippine Sea was impeded and encircled by a Chinese coast guard vessel and two ships from the Chinese maritime militia. The Filipino vessel was then escorted by two navy ships and two coast guard vessels.
Background
The incident took place near the “Sierra Madre,” a warship intentionally grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to reinforce the Philippines’ maritime claims in the area. The Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against the Filipino ships during the encounter.
Reactions
- The Philippine Coast Guard described the Chinese actions as irresponsible and provocative.
- The United States and Japan expressed support for the Philippines and condemned the Chinese forces’ aggression.
International Response
The US State Department spokesperson condemned the actions of the People’s Republic of China and expressed solidarity with the Philippines. Japan’s ambassador-designate to Manila also voiced grave concern over the repeated dangerous actions by the Chinese coast guard in the South China Sea.
Legal Context
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims over the South China Sea have no legal basis. The ruling highlighted the disputed nature of the waters claimed by multiple countries in the region.
