2-12-2024 (BEIJING) A new diplomatic row has erupted between China and the Philippines over alleged activities near a contested reef in the South China Sea, with both nations exchanging sharp accusations amid escalating regional tensions.
Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman Liu Dejun claimed that Philippine vessels, purportedly disguised as fishing boats, had illegally gathered near what China calls Houteng Reef in the disputed Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands). The CCG reported taking “necessary management and control measures” after the vessels allegedly ignored warnings to leave the area.
The reef, known as Rozul Reef in the Philippines and Iroquois Reef internationally, lies approximately 128 nautical miles from the Philippine island of Palawan, well within Manila’s United Nations-mandated 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela countered these claims, stating that two PCG vessels were legitimately deployed to protect Filipino fishermen following reported harassment by a Chinese military helicopter on November 28. The PCG cited video evidence of the alleged intimidation, though Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian dismissed these claims as “not factual”.
The latest confrontation adds to a series of maritime incidents between the two nations over the past year, including vessel collisions and personnel injuries. China maintains its “indisputable sovereignty” over the area, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that rejected Beijing’s expansive claims to most of the South China Sea – a ruling that China continues to dispute.
The strategic waterway, vital for international shipping and rich in natural resources, remains a flashpoint of regional tension, with multiple Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia and Vietnam, contesting China’s territorial assertions. Beijing’s spokesman also accused the Philippine vessels of bringing media personnel to “hype” the situation, warning Manila to “stop infringement and provocation”.
