 "Philippines summons China envoy over 'aggressive actions' in South China Sea, dares Beijing to seek arbitration")
The Philippines on Monday summoned China’s envoy to register its objections to what it deemed “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea over the weekend, with Manila’s defence minister issuing a challenge to Beijing to take them to international arbitration.
The Philippine foreign ministry asserted that China’s coastguard deployed water cannons against a civilian vessel providing supplies to troops on Saturday at the Second Thomas Shoal. This action purportedly resulted in damage to the vessel and injuries to some crew members, marking the latest incident in a series of confrontations over the past year.
“China’s continued interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is unacceptable,” Reuters quoted the Philippine foreign ministry as saying in a statement, which announced the charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy had summoned and a diplomatic protest lodged in Beijing.
“It infringes upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” it said, demanding Chinese vessels leave the area.
The Chinese coastguard reported on Saturday that it had taken necessary actions against Philippine vessels trespassing in its maritime territory.
China asserts nearly full sovereignty over the South China Sea, encompassing the Second Thomas Shoal, which falls within the Philippines’ 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In 1999, the Philippines deliberately grounded an antiquated warship at the shoal to reinforce its territorial assertions and has maintained a small military presence there since.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDespite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, prompted by Manila’s case, dismissing China’s claims in the South China Sea as unfounded under international law, China persists in deploying numerous coastguard vessels to patrol what it perceives as its waters, refusing to acknowledge the court’s decision.
Following the incident, Philippine security officials convened a high-level meeting on Monday to formulate recommendations to present to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr regarding potential steps to resolve the dispute.
Heightened tensions
“The Philippines has made sincere efforts to implement the instruction of President Marcos and President Xi to lower tensions,” Manila’s foreign ministry added.
“China’s aggressive actions call into question its sincerity in lowering the tensions and promoting peace.”
China’s defence ministry told the Philippines to cease “provocative actions” and comments that may lead to conflict and an escalation.
Since taking power in 2022, Marcos has taken a tough line against what he sees as Chinese hostility and has refused to cave in to Beijing’s pressure to steer clear of features it claims.
The tensions come at a time when Marcos is seeking to deepen engagement with defence treaty ally the United States, including increasing base access for U.S. troops and expanding military exercises to include joint air and sea patrols, developments China has viewed with suspicion.
In comments likely to rile Beijing, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro suggested on Monday that China should show the strength of its maritime claims through arbitration, rather than ambiguity.
“If China is not afraid to state its claims to the world, then why don’t we arbitrate under international law?” Philippines’ Teodoro told reporters.
“No country believes (their claims) and they see this as their way to use force, intimidate and bend the Philippines to their ambitions.”
With inputs from agencies
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