Ships belonging to China clash in South China Sea, as captured on video
In the South China Sea, tensions between the Philippines and China have been on the rise, with several clashes between Philippine forces and the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard in disputed areas, particularly around the Scarborough Shoal.
The latest incident occurred on Monday, when a collision took place between a Chinese coast guard ship and a Chinese destroyer. The Philippine coast guard ship BRP Suluan was also involved in the collision. The incident was captured on video footage released by the Philippines.
The Philippine government has expressed concern over the collision, urging China to comply with international regulations to prevent such incidents and to address these matters with professionalism, given their role in enforcing maritime law. The Philippine defense ministry described the collision as "heinous and foolish behavior" of China.
The Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson, however, justified attacking the Philippine ship with water cannons and criticized the behavior of the Philippine coast guard in the South China Sea, accusing them of violating Chinese sovereignty.
It is unclear how many sailors were injured in the collision, but the incident caused significant damage to the hulls of the two Chinese ships. The Philippine coast guard offered immediate assistance to the Chinese ships following the collision.
The Scarborough Shoal, a strategic maritime feature claimed by both countries, has been a focal point of these tensions. The Philippines have accused Chinese coast guard ships of performing dangerous and provocative maneuvers in the past.
The escalating tensions in the South China Sea are occurring within a broader context of great power rivalry and strategic alliance-building in the region. The US and allied countries like the Philippines have been cooperating more actively in response to China’s maritime assertiveness, through joint exercises and strategic partnerships aimed at countering Beijing’s influence and preserving freedom of navigation.
The Philippine government, under President Bongbong Marcos, has committed to upholding the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidates China’s expansive claims, pledging to assert Philippine territorial rights when necessary. However, the recent history of tensions involving the Scarborough Shoal is characterized by increased maritime confrontations, Philippine efforts to uphold international legal rulings on sovereignty, and China’s persistent incremental encroachment marked by naval and coast guard activity.
Despite the Chinese foreign ministry's press conference on Monday, the incident was not addressed, and the Chinese embassy in the USA did not initially respond to a request for a statement from our website.
As tensions continue to rise, both countries are urged to address these issues diplomatically and in accordance with international law to prevent further escalation and maintain peace in the South China Sea.
[1] ASEAN-China relations
[2] South China Sea disputes
[5] Philippine foreign policy under Bongbong Marcos
What is the official stance of the Chinese foreign ministry on the collision involving the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Suluan and Chinese ships in the South China Sea?
How does the Philippine foreign policy under President Bongbong Marcos approach the South China Sea disputes and ASEAN-China relations, particularly in light of the escalating tensions around the Scarborough Shoal?
