Tension Behind the Great Wall of China
China-Philippines Turbulent Waters
Tension behind the Great Wall of China: Tension between Beijing and Manila after a collision between boats in a disputed maritime area, against the backdrop of this incident, the dynamics of a broader confrontation between the United States and China in the Pacific is felt.
A fierce dispute and conflict between China and the Philippines, accusing each other of a clash between two boats in the South China Sea.
This incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning near Sabina Shoal, a coral island in the northeast of the Spratly Islands, one of the world’s disputed archipelagos due to its geostrategic and geo-economic value.
The dispute between China and the Philippines over this area indicates geopolitical tensions in the region.
Sabina Shoal is an area rich in natural resources, which both countries claim ownership over.
China bases its claim of sovereignty on historical maps, while the Philippines claims control based on geographical proximity and international laws.
In this context, Manila can particularly rely on U.S. support to counter China’s ambitions.
This dispute with Beijing is actually just one part of a broader regional chessboard where America’s game to contain China is ongoing, initiated by the Obama administration and, with necessary exceptions, endorsed by both subsequent presidents, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
Exchange of Accusations
The Chinese Coast Guard stated that a Filipino ship, ignoring repeated warnings, deliberately collided with a Chinese ship in an unprofessional and dangerous manner.
The Philippines opposed Beijing’s narrative, saying that two Manila Coast Guard ships were confronted by illegal and aggressive maneuvers by Chinese ships near Sabina Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal in Filipino and Xianbin Jiao in Mandarin Chinese, while they were on a mission to supply Filipino military personnel stationed on Flat Island.
Manila officials said the initial collision between the Filipino ship Cape Engan and a Chinese Coast Guard ship occurred around 3:24 AM on Monday, and about 16 minutes later, the Philippine Coast Guard ship was hit twice by another Chinese Coast Guard ship, causing minor structural damage. The Beijing Coast Guard also released a short video of the incident showing the collision with what the Chinese claim is one of their boats.
Disputed Waters
Despite the dynamics of maritime accidents and collisions, which, as often happens, are very difficult to clarify, this is certainly not an incident different from the rest or unique.
Just ten days ago, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had strongly condemned Beijing because two Chinese planes fired flares in the path of a Filipino aircraft during a routine patrol.
Sabina Shoal, where Monday’s incident occurred, is located in the Spratly Islands, which are simultaneously claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Therefore, the dispute between China and the Philippines over Sabina Shoal is part of a broader territorial dispute in the South China Sea, one of the world’s contested areas.
This region is strategically important not only because it lies on major shipping routes but also for natural resources like gas and oil deposits and rich marine biodiversity.
Beijing bases its claims on the so-called nine-dash line, identified on a map dating back to 1947, and citing this map, claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea.
For this reason, the People’s Republic is trying to strengthen its presence by building artificial islands and military bases in the area.
Conversely, the Philippines claims that Sabina Shoal is part of the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and emphasizes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and for this reason, managed to receive a favorable ruling in 2016 from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. However, China rejected this ruling and continued to strengthen its presence in the region.
Broader Confrontation
Thus, the dispute remains unresolved and continues to pose a threat to stability in the region.
Under different governments, the Philippines has oscillated between a confrontational approach and dialogue with China.
Tensions have recently escalated with maritime incidents like Monday’s and heated diplomatic exchanges.
It should be remembered that tension in the South China Sea is part of a broader confrontation between the United States and China in the Pacific.
Manila, along with Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, is part of the alliance circle with which Washington implements its policy to contain China. This strategy includes strengthening alliances with Asia-Pacific countries and Australia, including through economic and security partnerships.
Additionally, the United States conducts joint military maneuvers, maintains a significant naval and aerial presence in the region, and supports freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
The goal of this strategy is to counter China’s territorial and military ambitions, maintain the balance of power, and protect the interests of the U.S. and its allies in the Pacific.
There remains tension between China and the Philippines over the disputed coral islands in the South China Sea.
For months, the intensity of conflicts between the two countries has been increasing.
China almost claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea and behaves accordingly, even deploying its coast guard and fishing vessels to areas that, according to international law, are territorial waters of other countries.
Thus, this behavior by Beijing has led Manila to draw closer to Washington.
In April 2023, Marcos allowed U.S. forces access to four more bases in Philippine territory, which subsequently faced criticism from Beijing.
Although with Trump, there was a particular disinterest towards Asian partners and increased tension with China, Biden has tried to maintain this relationship despite the stormy relations between Beijing and Washington, while also aiming to strengthen partnerships with allies in Asia.
The renewed U.S. interest in the Indo-Pacific region worries Beijing, as it dislikes the presence of U.S. military personnel in the South China Sea, especially around Taiwan, an island that remains a focal point of geopolitical tensions in the region.