The Philippines has expressed concerns over Chinese activity in the South China Sea, including development of new infrastructure on features in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島) and alleged aggression toward Philippine vessels, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Thursday.
Bloomberg earlier reported that new infrastructure had been photographed on four features, which have been militarized with radar systems and airstrips.
Chinese vessels had also reportedly been swarming “in Iroquois Reef in the Reed Bank [Lile Bank, 禮樂灘] and Sabina Shoal [Sianbin Shoal, 仙濱暗吵], which Manila claims as its territory,” AFP reported.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that Mischief Reef (Meiji Reef, 美濟礁), which China occupies and has militarized, is a low-tide feature within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and that China’s occupation of the reef is unlawful. However, China has ignored the ruling while harassing Philippine fishers and researchers.
In November last year, China Coast Guard vessels deployed a water cannon to repel Philippine supply boats heading to a reef where Philippine military personnel were stationed. In March, Chinese vessels reportedly sailed excessively close to Philippine Coast Guard vessels operating near the Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Island, 黃岩島) in the Macclesfield Bank (Zhongsha Islands, 中沙群島), constraining “the maneuvering space of BRP Malabrigo — a clear violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,” the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement.
China Coast Guard vessels in March also shadowed the Taiwanese research vessel R/V Legend while it was conducting research with Philippine scientists off the northwest coast of the Philippines.
The Chinese actions threaten regional peace and stability, and Beijing becomes bolder every time it gets away with such harassment.
The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between Washington and Manila stipulates that the two nations must come to each other’s aid in the event that one is attacked. Use of water cannons on Philippine vessels, intrusion into Manila’s economic zone and unlawful obstruction of vessels could be considered attacks on the Philippines.
Obviously, the US would want to avoid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, but it is imperative that Taiwan — which also claims the Spratlys and the Macclesfield Bank — the US, the Philippines and other Indo-Pacific nations that have claims in the area recognize that there is no “status quo” in the South China Sea or in ties with China, which is expanding and will do so until it is stopped.
These countries should cooperate to protect one another’s claims and prevent further encroachment by China. The US should increase its naval presence in the area and consider operating joint naval bases with the Philippines and Vietnam. Such cooperation need not recognize any territorial claims, but be done to protect shared economic and security interests.
Taiwan’s Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island, 太平島) would be a good place for such cooperative efforts to start, given US interest in supporting Taiwan’s defense. Through US assistance, facilities on the island could be expanded to accommodate larger vessels and a larger contingent of military personnel. Also, through US mediation, Taiwan could cooperate with Vietnamese forces stationed at nearby Sandy Cay (Duncian Shajou, 敦謙沙洲), where Reuters last week reported that Vietnam is expanding its presence.
Plans take time, but Taiwan, the US and other like-minded countries must act soon to defend international interests in the South China Sea. If not, China will only embed itself more deeply in the area, affecting other nations’ lawful economic activity and threatening their national security interests.
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