The Philippine government summoned the Chinese diplomats to lodge an official protest concerning the collision between the Chinese and their coast guard vessels in the disputed South China Sea on the 5th.
|
According to Beijing diplomatic sources on the 6th, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs summoned officials from the Chinese embassy in the Philippines the previous day regarding this incident. At this meeting, they protested, stating, “We cannot tolerate China’s interference within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)” and adding, “This act has violated our sovereignty.” They also demanded that Chinese vessels retreat from the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal, where the accident occurred.
Before this, the Philippine Coast Guard announced the previous day that a national vessel on a supply mission near the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea collided with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, causing damage to the hull. Spokesperson Jay Tarriela explained, “The collision occurred as Chinese coast guard vessels and other ships dangerously blocked our vessel.”
During this process, four soldiers on the supply ship were injured by water cannons fired from the Chinese vessel. This seems to have disrupted the transportation of military supplies. As expected, the Chinese Coast Guard refuted, “We took lawful measures against the Philippine ship that illegally entered our waters.”
China has drawn the nine-dash line in a U-shape in the South China Sea, claiming that about 90% of the area within these lines is its territorial waters. In response, the Philippines filed a lawsuit with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and, in 2016, received a ruling that China’s claim to sovereignty had no basis in international law. However, China has not changed its stance. As a result, it continues to have friction with neighboring countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam.
The U.S. Department of State confirmed its support for the Philippines in a statement released the previous day (local time): “The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, after China’s provocative behavior targeting the Philippines’ legitimate maritime activities in the South China Sea.”
Moreover, it pointed out, “Chinese vessels performed dangerous maneuvers and activated water cannons at a Philippine ship carrying food to Philippine soldiers, causing several collisions. At least one Philippine ship was damaged. Philippine soldiers were also injured.”
Naturally, China strongly protested. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maoning criticized at a regular briefing on the 6th, “The U.S. Department of State is distorting facts. It unjustifiably attacks China’s legitimate rights and threatens China by repeatedly mentioning the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.”
He continued, “The United States should not use the Philippines as a pawn in the chess game to disturb the situation in the South China Sea. The Philippines should not be manipulated by the United States,” and claimed, “History teaches us that a pawn in a chess game eventually becomes a discarded piece.” It seems appropriate to say that the tense situation in the South China Sea could escalate into a larger conflict in the future.
Most Commented