Early Monday, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and a Philippine Coast Guard ship collided near Sabina Shoal, adding to a new episode of tension between the countries over the territorial dispute in the South China Sea. This incident is the first in this specific location and could jeopardize recent efforts to reduce tension in one of the world’s busiest waterways.
In this regard, Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said that a Chinese coast guard ship tried to prevent a Philippine ship from reaching the Sabina sandbank. According to Gan Yu, the ship behaved in an “unprofessional and dangerous” manner, which led to the collision. He added, as quoted by The Washington Post: “The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines.”
The BRP Cape Engano, damaged after a collision with a Chinese vessel near the Sabina sandbar, in a photograph provided by the Philippine Coast Guard. (Philippine Coast Guard/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
However, Philippine authorities have refuted this version, saying that their ships were subject to “illegal and aggressive maneuvers” by the Chinese vessels. Jonathan Malaya, deputy director general of the Philippine National Security Council, said that one of the Philippine ships suffered a hole in its deck, while another suffered “minor structural damage.”
Sabina Shoal is located 86 miles off the Philippine island of Palawan, within the Philippines’ 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Since April this year, the Philippines has maintained the coast guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal to monitor Chinese activity in the area.
The situation could worsen if there is no diplomatic agreement
Despite this, China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands archipelago, of which Sabina Shoal is a part. This claim was declared illegal by a ruling by the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016, which the Asian giant categorically rejects.
China accuses the Philippines of trying to establish a permanent presence in the region, something it considers unacceptable. According to Mao Ning, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country “firmly opposes” such actions and will take “resolute and vigorous measures” to defend its interests in the region.
Several security analysts, cited by The Washington Post, warn that the situation could deteriorate further if the two countries fail to reach a diplomatic solution. So far in 2024 alone, the Philippine government has filed 40 diplomatic protests against China for violations of its sovereignty.
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