1-12-2023 (MANILA) On December 1, the Philippines declared its intention to establish a coast guard station on Thitu Island, the largest among the territories it holds in the contentious South China Sea. The move is aimed at enhancing the monitoring of Chinese vessels, which have been asserting Beijing’s claims in the disputed waters. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano disclosed the development during his visit to Thitu Island, which is part of the fiercely contested Spratly Islands.
The coast guard station, equipped with advanced systems including radar, satellite communication, coastal cameras, and vessel traffic management, is expected to be operational in early 2024. Ano emphasized that these state-of-the-art systems would significantly bolster the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) ability to monitor Chinese maritime activities and those of other nations in the region.
The real-time data collection facilitated by these systems is anticipated to influence the behavior of rival claimants, particularly China, presenting it as a potential “game changer” in the South China Sea dynamics, according to Ano. Thitu Island is strategically located about 430km from the major Philippine island of Palawan and over 900km from China’s nearest major land mass, Hainan island.
While Beijing claims a vast portion of the South China Sea, including areas close to its neighboring countries’ shores, an international tribunal has ruled against the legal basis of China’s assertion. China has consistently deployed vessels to patrol the waters, constructed artificial islands, and established military installations to reinforce its claims.
The South China Sea dispute involves multiple nations, including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, all asserting various claims to islands and reefs believed to harbor significant petroleum reserves beneath the sea. Recent months have witnessed strained relations between Manila and Beijing due to incidents in the waters, including collisions between Philippine and Chinese boats.
On December 1, Ano accused Chinese coast guard and other vessels of engaging in “illegal” and “aggressive” behavior towards Filipino fishermen and patrol boats, denouncing it as “pure bullying.” Despite tensions, the Philippines remains resolute, with Ano asserting, “We shall not waver; we will stand our ground. We will not be deterred by any power that tries to oppress and outmuscle us.”
Meanwhile, China’s President Xi Jinping reportedly urged the country’s coast guard to enforce maritime law and combat “criminal activities” to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty. Xi emphasized the need for pragmatic cooperation with foreign countries in maritime law enforcement and active participation in international and regional maritime governance.
