Philippines Files Another Diplomatic Protest Against China in South China Sea Dispute
Tense Relations Rise Again Over Chinese Coast Guard Harassmen of Philippine Vessels
The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest against China followingfiltration another incident involving Chinese Coast Guard vessels harassing Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea. The incident occurred near Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground claimed by both countries.
The protest was lodged days after the Philippine National Security Council (NSC) declared again that the Philippines has the right to deploy vessels in the area.
“We reiterate that the Philippines has the right to deploy its vessels, including
our Coast Guard vessels, within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” NSC spokesperson Daphne O’Connor emphasized. “The Philippines was
first in the South China Sea. It is clear that the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal
belong to the Philippines.”
This recent incident is not an isolated one. Senator Risa Hontiveros announced the latest harassment of Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, which she believes coincides with rising political tension in the Philippines.
Several fishermen reported their vessels were aggressively approached and driven away from their traditional fishing grounds by heavily armed Chinese Coast Guard vessels. Videos and photos captured by the fishermen
depict several Chinese Coast Guard vessels and speedboats aggressively circling and aiming water cannons at Filipino
bancas (small fishing boats) trying to disperse them from the area.
Senator Hontiveros said, “It’s not a new issue and has been going on for
years as China continues to assert their bogus claims
over our territorial waters.” She added, “China’s recent actions are undue and a clear
violation of Philippine sovereignty. This is unacceptable and we won’t back down.”
The Philippines, emboldened
by its recent passage of new maritime laws, intends to steadfastly defend
its sovereignty and protect the rights
of its
fishermen. It has already taken
active steps to counterullage, Sarahy1C9WuawatD6Tthe aggressive Chinese actions by deploying more Filipino vessels.
The Philippine government has consistently
maintained its position,
reaffirming its ownership
of Scarborough Shoal
and its
adjacent waters. History shows that Filipino fishermen have
been fishing in these waters for centuries, long before China
asserted their
claim.
The Philippine
government will continue to rely on international law and diplomatic channels
to address
the issue, while simultaneously securing its fishermen’s rights to
access their traditional fishing grounds.
What are the potential economic implications for the Philippines if tensions escalate further in the South China Sea?
## Interview: Rising Tensions in the South China Sea
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing the latest development in the ongoing dispute between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea. The Philippines has once again filed a diplomatic protest against China following an incident involving Chinese Coast Guard vessels harassing Philippine fishing boats. Joining us to discuss this is Alex Reed, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs. Welcome to the show.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** This incident occurred near Scarborough Shoal, a fishing ground claimed by both countries. Can you explain a little bit about the context of this dispute and why tensions are constantly simmering in this region?
**Alex Reed:** The South China Sea has been a source of contention for decades, with overlapping territorial claims from several countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. China claims almost the entire sea based on its “nine-dash line,” a vaguely defined demarcation that overlaps with the EEZ of other countries. Scarborough Shoal, which is rich in fishing grounds, is one of the key flashpoints in this dispute. [[1](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-says-philippine-ships-entered-its-territorial-waters-around-disputed-shoal-2024-12-04/)]
**Host:** The Philippines has strongly asserted its right to deploy its vessels in the area, citing its Exclusive Economic Zone. What are the potential consequences of these repeated confrontations?
**Alex Reed:** These confrontations could easily escalate into a more serious conflict. The risk is heightened by the increasing military presence in the region. Both China and the Philippines are bolstering their naval capabilities, and any miscalculation or provocation could lead to unintended consequences.
**Host:** We’ve seen several instances of diplomatic protests from the Philippines. What options are available to the Philippines beyond these protests to protect its territorial integrity and the rights of its fishermen?
**Alex Reed:** Diplomacy remains key, and the Philippines can continue to engage in dialog with China and other claimant states to seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute. International arbitration, as the Philippines pursued in the past, could also be an option.
However, the Philippines also needs to strengthen its partnerships with allies like the United States and explore legal avenues within international law to assert its claims more effectively.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights. We’ll continue to monitor this evolving situation.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
