13-12-2024 (BEIJING) China has launched fresh accusations against the Philippines, claiming that Manila, backed by American support, is deliberately stoking tensions in the contested South China Sea waters. The statement comes amid heightened regional friction following recent maritime confrontations between the two nations.
Speaking through the defence ministry’s official WeChat platform, spokesperson Wu Qian delivered a stern rebuke to Manila’s activities in the disputed waters. “Manila has systematically orchestrated disturbances across the South China Sea, enabled by American backing,” Wu stated, emphasising that historical treaties clearly define Philippine territory, which he asserts excludes both the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.
The diplomatic row intensified after Philippine vessels reported aggressive tactics by Chinese coast guard ships near Scarborough Shoal last week. Manila’s fisheries bureau vessel, attempting to deliver supplies to local fishermen, allegedly faced water cannon attacks and deliberate collisions from Chinese vessels.
The incident marks the latest chapter in an increasingly complex territorial dispute involving multiple Southeast Asian nations. China maintains its claim over nearly the entire South China Sea, while neighbouring states, including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, assert rights over various sections, particularly within their respective 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones.
Chinese authorities recently bolstered their position by submitting nautical charts to the United Nations, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping maritime claims. The tribunal’s decision, which China refuses to acknowledge, specifically identified Scarborough Shoal as a traditional fishing ground open to multiple nationalities.
Maritime law experts note that exclusive economic zones grant coastal nations authority over marine resources and seabed materials within their designated areas. However, the ongoing sovereignty dispute over Scarborough Shoal remains unresolved, complicated by China’s continued rejection of international arbitration decisions.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations continues negotiations with China regarding a regional code of conduct, though progress remains limited. Several ASEAN members insist any agreement must align with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, highlighting the complex balance between regional stability and maritime rights.
