25-9-2024 (MANILA) In a fresh development that underscores the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the Philippines has reported a provocative encounter involving a Chinese naval helicopter and a Philippine fisheries bureau aircraft. The incident, which occurred on Monday near the contested Scarborough Shoal, marks another chapter in the increasingly tense relations between Manila and Beijing.
According to the Philippine National Security Council (NSC), the Chinese naval helicopter shadowed and approached the Philippine aircraft while it was conducting a routine patrol mission. Despite the intimidating manoeuvre, the Philippine aircraft managed to complete its assigned task. The NSC strongly condemned the action, asserting that it violated international air safety regulations.
This latest confrontation adds to a growing list of maritime and aerial incidents between the two nations, centred around disputed territories in the South China Sea. The Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground with a picturesque lagoon, has been a particular flashpoint, having been under the de facto control of Chinese coast guard vessels for over a decade.
The Philippines bases its territorial claim on the shoal’s location within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). However, China, citing historical maps, asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal.
A 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected China’s expansive claims, deeming them incompatible with international law. Beijing, however, continues to disregard this decision, maintaining its presence in disputed waters.
In a related development, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro issued a stern rebuke to China, demanding the withdrawal of Chinese vessels from the Philippine EEZ. Teodoro also accused Beijing of attempting to interfere with the Philippines’ defence activities, particularly criticising China’s objections to Manila’s use of a US-provided mid-range missile launcher for training purposes.
“China is saying that they are alarmed, but that is interference into our internal affairs,” Teodoro stated, challenging China to lead by example by dismantling its own military capabilities in the region.
The deployment of the American Typhon missile system in the Philippines has raised concerns in Beijing, with Chinese officials accusing Washington of fuelling an arms race in the region. However, Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner expressed his desire for the continued presence of the Typhon systems, highlighting the Philippines’ commitment to bolstering its defensive capabilities.
