Philippines Claims Harassment of Fisheries by Chinese Forces in South China Sea

The Philippine Coast Guard has reported that Chinese naval forces, including coast guard ships and a helicopter, engaged in intimidating maneuvers against Philippine fisheries vessels conducting a scientific survey in the contested waters of the South China Sea. This incident occurred on Friday near Sandy Cay, a location characterized by its small, uninhabited sandbars, situated between a Chinese military base and a Philippine-occupied island within the Spratlys archipelago.

According to the Philippine authorities, the Chinese vessels approached two larger Philippine ships, which had to maneuver to avoid potential collisions. In addition, a Chinese navy helicopter flew dangerously low over two smaller Philippine boats, prompting the cancellation of the survey mission. The Philippine Coast Guard released videos showing the proximity of a Chinese ship to a Philippine vessel, as well as footage of the military helicopter hovering over the turbulent waters near a boat displaying the Philippine flag.

Chinese officials did not provide an immediate response to these allegations. However, China has consistently claimed sovereignty over the majority of the South China Sea and has accused other claimant nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, of illegal encroachments. China's territorial claims are demarcated by a 'nine-dash line' on maps, although the exact coordinates of these claims have not been officially disclosed.

This latest escalation in the long-standing territorial disputes in a critical global trade route could pose a challenge to the current U.S. administration's foreign policy stance regarding China. Previous U.S. administrations have sought to counter China's assertiveness in the South China Sea, with former President Biden reinforcing security alliances in Asia to address these aggressive actions.

In a recent communication, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo, regarding mutual concerns, which included the destabilizing actions of the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea. Rubio emphasized that China's behavior undermines regional stability and violates international law, reaffirming the United States' commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.

Biden's administration has also made it clear that the U.S. is obligated to assist the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if any Filipino military assets come under attack, including in the South China Sea. China, for its part, has warned the United States to refrain from intervening in what it describes as a regional issue.