Tensions Escalate as China Deploys Water Cannons Against Philippine Vessels Following US Support in Disputed Waters
Amid escalating tensions, China's coast guard deployed water cannons against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, marking another clash in the ongoing maritime disputes between the two nations.
China’s coast guard used water cannon against Philippine boats in a contested area of the South China Sea on Saturday, the latest in a string of maritime clashes between the two countries.
The skirmish comes just days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washington’s commitment to defending Philippine access to the vast waterway, which China claims sovereignty over, sparking increasing clashes with its neighbors in recent years.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that a video captured a Philippine civilian vessel sustaining "heavy damage" from a water cannon.
The AFP further alleged that the Chinese coast guard engaged in a "dangerous maneuver" by crossing in front of the resupply vessel before deploying the water cannon.
It said China subsequently installed floating barriers to “prevent further entry of any vessels.”
Rebecca Wright/CNN
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A Philippine Coast Guard vessel was surrounded by a Chinese coast guard ship and two Chinese "maritime militia" vessels, preventing it from receiving supplies.
The Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson, Jay Tarriela, stated on X that the ship was cut off from the resupply boat because of the Chinese maritime forces' irresponsible and provocative actions. They have shown a lack of regard for the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
The Second Thomas Shoal, located approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Palawan, a Philippine island, has been a point of dispute between Beijing and Manila for a long time. In the 1990s, the Philippines deliberately grounded the BRP Sierra Madre, an old navy transport ship from World War II, on the shoal to assert its claim over the area. Today, the ship is mostly a corroded wreck and is staffed by rotating Philippine marines.
Recent clashes have taken place as the Philippines tries to provide supplies to the forces stationed on the Sierra Madre.
The AFP reported that they were able to successfully deliver the much-needed supplies to the Sierra Madre. However, one of the ships involved in the resupply mission faced some issues and could not continue its journey.
China's coast guard recently posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo about taking action against Philippine ships that they claimed had illegally entered the waters near Ren'ai Reef. Ren'ai Reef is also known as the Second Thomas Shoal by China and Ayungin Shoal by the Philippines.
Just four days after Secretary of State Blinken assured the Philippines of the United States' strong commitment to defending them in the South China Sea, another incident occurred.
During a joint news conference with his Philippine counterpart, Blinken highlighted the shared concern between the allies regarding the actions of the People's Republic of China. These actions pose a threat to their vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially in the South China Sea and the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
The mutual defense treaty signed in 1951 between the US and Philippines is strong and covers attacks on Filipino armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft in the South China Sea, according to Blinken.
During a recent incident, a Chinese coast guard vessel used water cannon on a Philippine boat, causing damage and injuring four sailors.
Editor's P/S:
The escalating tensions in the South China Sea are a cause for deep concern. The use of force by Chinese coast guard vessels against Philippine boats is a blatant disregard for international maritime law and a threat to regional stability. The United States has rightly condemned these actions and reaffirmed its commitment to defending Philippine access to the waterway.
China's aggressive behavior in the South China Sea is part of a larger pattern of assertiveness in the region, which has raised concerns among its neighbors and the broader international community. China's claim to sovereignty over vast areas of the South China Sea is based on flimsy historical and legal arguments, and its willingness to use force to back up its claims is a serious threat to regional stability. The United States and its allies must continue to stand up to China's bullying and support the rights of all nations to freedom of navigation and access to resources in the South China Sea.
