On Sunday, the Philippines and China engaged in a dispute in the contested waters of the South China Sea, concerning what Manila described as a resupply operation for local fishermen. This incident marks another in a string of maritime and aerial confrontations in this pivotal region. It comes at a time when both countries are attempting to reestablish trust and more effectively handle disputes following several months of conflicts, including a violent altercation in June that resulted in a Filipino sailor losing a finger.
The Philippines accused China of employing "aggressive and hazardous maneuvers" to obstruct the resupply mission. In contrast, China's coast guard claimed to have implemented "control measures" against a ship that had "unlawfully" entered the waters and repeatedly approached Chinese vessels in a hazardous manner. The Philippine South China Sea task force reported that during the incident near Sabina Shoal, Chinese vessels collided with and used water cannons against a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries ship carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies for Filipino fishermen.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a claim that includes areas also claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brunei. To safeguard its claims, Beijing has stationed a fleet of vessels in the area. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal determined that China's claims had no legal basis under international law, a significant victory for the Philippines, which had brought the case. However, Beijing has rejected this ruling.
Last month, the Philippines and China agreed to "restore trust" and "rebuild confidence" to manage maritime disputes during a high-level meeting. This agreement was followed by a provisional arrangement concerning Manila's resupply missions to a grounded Filipino naval ship in the South China Sea. The Philippine task force condemned Sunday's confrontation, stating that these "unprofessional, aggressive, and illegal actions" posed significant risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were meant to serve.
The Bureau of Fisheries vessel, en route from Half-Moon Shoal to Sabina Shoal, encountered multiple Chinese vessels that executed "dangerous maneuvers," leading to engine failure and forcing the mission to be aborted. Manila has reiterated its demand for Beijing to cease "provocative actions that undermine regional peace and security." On Saturday, Manila accused Beijing of "unjustifiably" deploying flares from the China-occupied Subi Reef while a Manila aircraft was conducting patrols. The same aircraft had also "faced harassment" from a Chinese jet fighter during a surveillance flight near the Scarborough Shoal on Monday, according to the Philippines.
The United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, echoed Manila's call on Saturday, condemning China for launching the flares.
