A new flashpoint has emerged in the escalating maritime dispute between China and the Philippines, as both nations clash once again over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Over the years, the conflict has intensified, leading to increased vessel collisions, confrontations, and allegations of armed threats. Recently, tensions flared as Chinese and Philippine vessels collided near Sabina Shoal, with both sides accusing each other of intentional ramming.
Sabina Shoal, known as Xianbin Jiao in Chinese and Escoda Shoal in the Philippines, is about 75 nautical miles from the Philippines’ west coast and 630 nautical miles from China.
Recent Collisions at Sabina Shoal
On August 19, vessels from China and the Philippines collided in the contested Spratly Islands, a region rich in oil and gas. The Chinese coast guard alleged that the Philippine vessel “deliberately collided” with them, while the Philippines countered that the Chinese vessels engaged in “aggressive manoeuvres.”
A second round of collisions occurred shortly after, with both nations again trading accusations. International condemnation of China’s actions has come from multiple countries, including the UK, Japan, Australia, and South Korea.
On a recent Monday, the Philippines reported that around 40 Chinese ships blocked two of their vessels from conducting a humanitarian mission to provide supplies to the Teresa Magbuana, a Philippine coast guard ship stationed at the shoal since April. Philippine authorities suspect that China is attempting to reclaim land at Sabina Shoal, citing underwater mounds of crushed coral observed by their coast guard.
China has dismissed these claims as “groundless.” The Philippines maintains the Teresa Magbuana’s presence is crucial for their ongoing efforts to explore the Spratlys for natural resources, while China views it as evidence of Philippine intentions to occupy the shoal.
In a recent commentary, Chinese state media referenced a World War II-era ship grounded by the Philippines in 1999 on the Second Thomas Shoal, warning that the Philippines is attempting to replicate this scenario at Sabina Shoal.
Escalating Tensions in the Region
The recent clashes signify a dangerous escalation in the long-standing dispute, which has seen numerous confrontations over reefs and outcrops like Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal. The tensions primarily stem from aggressive enforcement of territorial claims, as both sides engage in high-stakes maritime maneuvers.
Chinese vessels have reportedly used water cannons and lasers against Philippine ships, while the Philippines has accused Chinese crews of boarding their vessels and instigating confrontations. A notable accusation involved Chinese coast guard personnel allegedly threatening Filipino soldiers aboard a military vessel.
“We are struggling against a more powerful adversary,” stated the Philippines’ defense chief, urging the international community for a robust response against China.
Although there have been no reported fatalities, the Philippines has indicated that several military personnel sustained injuries during these confrontations. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned that any Filipino lives lost as a result of Chinese aggression would be treated as an “act of war.”
Observers are concerned that the ongoing conflict could trigger a more extensive confrontation in the resource-rich South China Sea. A previous effort by the Philippines to involve the United Nations resulted in a ruling that dismissed China’s historical claims alongside its so-called nine-dash line, a claim that Beijing continues to reject.
Despite recent agreements to de-escalate tensions and allow humanitarian missions, the incidents at Sabina Shoal raise significant concerns about the effectiveness of such measures when conflicts can easily shift to new locations within these contested waters.
