As Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit expected to address regional maritime tensions, a clash occurred between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels in the disputed South China Sea. The incident resulted in four Filipino crew members sustaining injuries during high-seas confrontations near the contested Second Thomas Shoal.
The Philippine coast guard and supply vessels were reportedly blocked and subjected to dangerous maneuvers by Chinese coast guard ships, leading to minor collisions. The Philippine government task force dealing with territorial disputes condemned China’s actions, referring to them as “another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission.”
China claimed that the Philippine ships were illegally intruding into the area’s waters and accused one of them of ramming a Chinese vessel. The Chinese coast guard released a statement asserting that it took control measures in accordance with the law.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila summoned China’s deputy ambassador to protest the actions, deeming them unacceptable. Washington strongly condemned China’s actions, with the US ambassador in Manila expressing solidarity with the Philippines and proponents of international law.
The South China Sea has been a longstanding area of tension, with competing territorial claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The recent clash underscores the complexity of resolving maritime disputes in the region, as efforts to lower tensions have proven challenging.
The South China Sea issue is expected to be discussed during the ASEAN summit, with both the Philippines and Vietnam planning to raise concerns about China’s aggressive actions. The US has reiterated its commitment to defend the Philippines in the event of an armed attack, heightening concerns about the potential for a larger conflict involving major powers.