In the early hours of 19 August, a tense incident unfolded near the Sabina Shoal (also known as Escoda Shoal), located in the West Philippine Sea, about 140 kilometers from Palawan, Philippines. A Chinese vessel collided with two Philippine vessels, causing structural damage. The collision, which Manila claims was deliberate, sparked a renewed war of words between the Philippines and China, escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Such confrontations between the two nations have become alarmingly frequent. Often, China is seen engaging in aggressive maneuvers that some experts argue are aimed at asserting dominance in disputed waters. But why does China provoke such tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and how is the Philippines responding to these challenges?
The Battle for the Shoals
To understand the current tensions, it is essential to look back at the long history of territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The shoal is part of the Spratly Islands, a group of islands, reefs, and shoals that are largely uninhabited but strategically significant. The Philippines has long claimed that the shoal lies within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
China, however, has consistently used deceptive tactics to lay claim to various features in the South China Sea. In the mid-1990s, China began building structures on Mischief Reef, located within the Philippines’ EEZ, sparking concerns in Manila about Beijing’s long-term intentions. In a bold counter-move, the Philippines deliberately ran an old, World War II-era ship, the B.R.P. Sierra Madre, aground on the Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) in 1999. This ship, a relic from the Vietnam War, was intended to serve as a deterrent against further Chinese encroachments.
The decision to ground the B.R.P. Sierra Madre proved effective, with Philippine troops rotating on board to assert the country’s territorial claim. However, in recent years, China has escalated its activities around the shoal, prompting fears of a potential military confrontation.
China’s Expanding Reach
China’s actions in the region suggest a broader strategy to establish control over the South China Sea. Philippine officials and security experts warn that Beijing aims to militarize the Ayungin Shoal, much as it did with Mischief Reef and Scarborough Shoal. Scarborough Shoal, seized by China in 2012, is now under its effective control despite lying within the Philippine EEZ.
The B.R.P. Sierra Madre has been at the center of at least eight maritime confrontations in the past 18 months alone. These incidents include direct confrontations with Chinese Coast Guard vessels, which have reportedly rammed Philippine ships, deployed water cannons, and even used a military-grade laser to harass Philippine sailors.
Diplomatic Maneuvers and Tensions
In July, China and the Philippines reached a provisional agreement allowing Manila to continue resupply missions to its troops aboard the B.R.P. Sierra Madre. However, this agreement is fragile, with both sides maintaining their territorial claims. The Philippines insists it will not inform China of its resupply missions in advance or submit to inspections by Chinese vessels, as demanded by Beijing.
China, for its part, continues to press for the removal of the grounded Philippine ship and limits on the resupply missions. Beijing describes the agreement as a “temporary arrangement” and positions it as an example of its goodwill. However, Philippine officials remain wary, viewing China’s demands as a pretext for expanding its control over disputed areas.
The Role of the United States
The United States has reiterated its support for the Philippines, emphasizing that the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty covers any attacks on the B.R.P. Sierra Madre. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and other American officials have underscored their commitment to ensuring the safety of Philippine troops and maintaining freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
A Call to ASEAN?
The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and China raise broader questions for the region. Will Manila’s defiance inspire other ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, to adopt similar tactics against Chinese aggression? As Beijing continues its expansive claims in the South China Sea, regional actors may feel compelled to take a more assertive stance in defense of their own territorial integrity.
By Ramesh Ramachandran, Senior Consulting Editor (D.D. India)