In the latest episode to heighten tensions over the important waterway, China faced mounting outrage after it barred and used water cannons at the vessels of a significant U.S. partner in the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippine government called Beijing’s ambassador and expressed diplomatic displeasure over the weekend incident, while Washington emphasized its obligation to defend its partner in the event of an assault. China responded by stating that its actions were required and claiming that the Philippines had violated its sovereignty.
The incident, which Manila published video of, threatened to further inflame a regional conflict over conflicting claims to the region—a major flashpoint between the United States and China.
When Chinese coast guard ships attempted to block them and fired water cannons on them on Saturday, Philippine coast guard vessels escorted boats carrying food, water, and other supplies to troops deployed on the Second Thomas Shoal, a small atoll in the disputed Spratly Islands.
The national security council of the Philippines’ spokesperson, Jonathan Malaya, claimed during a news conference on Monday that the country’s ships had been repeatedly subjected to water cannoning and ongoing risky maneuvers.
He continued, comparing the situation to “a David and Goliath situation,” saying that China’s activities have put “the lives of the staff of Philippine vessels at risk, in breach of international and humanitarian law.”
According to Malaya, the boats were on a “regular rotation and resupply mission,” but only one boat was ultimately successful in getting to the shoal.
China justified the action by claiming that the Philippines had violated its sovereignty and reiterated its assertion that the shoal was a part of the Nansha islands, which it owns.
Water cannons were employed as a warning method when repeated warnings proved futile, according to a Chinese coast guard spokeswoman on Monday.
The contested shoal is situated in the South China Sea, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. For years, China and its neighbors have been at odds over it, and it has also been seen as a sensitive flashpoint in its conflict with the United States.
Despite international judgments that rejected Beijing’s expansive territorial claims, China asserts control over nearly the entire critical waterway. Many nations in the area with whom it has territorial conflicts have become enraged by its position.
The United States and allies expressed support for the Philippines while expressing alarm over Chinese moves, including the European Union, Japan, and Australia.
The PRC (People’s Republic of China) has also engaged in unreasonable interference in legitimate Philippine maritime operations, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Saturday. “By obstructing necessary provisions from entering the Filipino servicemembers deployed at Second Thomas shoal,” the statement said.
Washington also reiterated its pledge to defend its steadfast ally under the terms of the treaty if Philippine boats were to come under armed attack.
At a news conference on Monday, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry stated that Beijing had urged the United States to respect its maritime rights and accused Washington of supporting a breach of its sovereignty.
The United States and several of China’s neighbors accuse Beijing of employing “gray zone” strategies—aggression that is not recognized as legal warfare—to frighten rival nations and expand its influence in the region. In retaliation, the U.S. routinely engages in “freedom of navigation” operations and other activities in international waters and airspace, which China claims only serve to exacerbate tensions and endanger its security.
Beijing has long asked that Manila remove its troops from the Ren’ai Jiao shoal, which is the focal point of the weekend conflict. A decrepit ship that has been grounded there since 1999 and is now used as a reminder of Manila’s claim to the region is where the Philippine forces are stationed.
Beijing interprets the resupply initiatives as a pretext for an endeavor to increase the Philippine presence.
Humanitarian aid delivered once every two weeks, according to Hu Bo, director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative in Beijing, has not been hindered.
He told NBC News that China believes that the action of bolstering its warship will affect the current South China Sea scenario, which will prompt China to take all reasonable steps to protect the status quo.