Tensions Escalate as China and Philippines Accuse Each Other of Ramming Coast Guard Vessels in South China Sea
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, China and the Philippines have accused each other of ramming coast guard vessels in a disputed area near the Sabina Shoal. The Philippines claims that a Chinese ship “directly and intentionally rammed” into its vessel, while Beijing has accused the Philippines of “deliberately” crashing into a Chinese ship.
This latest clash is just one in a series of incidents that have occurred in the same area within the past two weeks. The Sabina Shoal, claimed by China as Xianbin Jiao and as Escoda Shoal by the Philippines, is located some 75 nautical miles from the Philippines’ west coast and 630 nautical miles from China.
The South China Sea is a crucial shipping route through which $3 trillion worth of trade passes each year. Beijing asserts almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Following the collision, China’s coast guard called on the Philippines to withdraw from the Sabina Shoal, while the Philippines coast guard vowed not to move its vessel despite the Chinese coast guard’s actions.
While there were no casualties in the clash, the Philippines Coast Guard reported that their vessel, the Teresa Magbanua, sustained damage after being hit multiple times by the Chinese ship.
The US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay L Carlson, condemned China’s actions, calling them dangerous violations of international law. She expressed support for the Philippines in upholding international law.
China has repeatedly blamed the Philippines and the US for the escalating tensions, accusing Washington of emboldening Manila to make “reckless provocations.”
Observers fear that the dispute could lead to a larger confrontation in the South China Sea. Despite previous attempts to arbitrate the dispute through the United Nations, China has refused to recognize the ruling that it has no lawful claims within its nine-dash line boundary.
In recent weeks, both countries have made efforts to de-escalate conflicts at sea, including allowing the Philippines to restock an outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal with food, supplies, and personnel without reported clashes.
