China warns Philippines amid South China Sea conflict

23-12-2023

Nuno Daun

Southeast Asia & Pacific Team 

Global Human Rights Defence

Background

The dispute over the South China Sea between the Philippines and China dates back to 2013, after China seized the Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines. As it stands, China claims over 90% of the sea. On the 22nd of September 2023, the Philippines cut off a Chinese sea barrier. Thus, defying China’s sole sovereignty over the region. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that China’s claims were in violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; to date, China has not followed the ruling. Thereafter, the Chinese government issued a warning to the Philippines not to “stir up trouble” following the Philippine’s switch to an assertive stance.

Ongoing dispute

Wang Yi, a Chinese diplomat, issued a communication to the Philippine Foreign Ministry in which he proceeded to blame the development of the conflict on the fact that the Philippines changed its longstanding policy, calling it a “provocation.” In response, China built militarized artificial islands near the disputed area. Filipino President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, praised the Philippine’s Coast Guard actions by calling it an act of bravery and resilience. The United States sent a warning to China to respect international law and the Court’s ruling, following the restoration of the U.S-Philippines relations. Consequently, China warned the United States not to get involved in the affairs, calling it strictly an “Asian issue.” Furthermore, China issued another warning to the Philippines stating “If the Philippines misjudges the situation, insists on going its own way, or even colludes with malicious external forces to continue causing trouble and chaos, China will definitely safeguard its rights in accordance with the law and respond resolutely.”

In the beginning of December, as reported by the New York Times, the Chinese Coast Guard fired a high-intensity water jet at Filipino wooden fishing vessels. The damage to the Filipino boat was so severe that it had to be towed back to the mainland. According to reports, the Chinese ships are constantly there guarding the area. In response to the attacks, the Philippine President stated that China has no legal claim to the area and that the attacks are in violation of international law. However, in response to the attacks, the Chinese Coast Guard claimed that the boat had swerved, hence the reason for the water cannons. 

The Philippines maintains its position and will continue to lay claim to their portion of the South China Sea.

Sources and further readings:

• France24, ‘China warns Philippines must 'act with caution' after clashes in South China Sea’ (21 December 2023) https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20231221-china-warns-philippines-must-act-with-caution-after-clashes-in-south-china-sea accessed 23 December 2023.
• Al-Jazeera, ‘China urges Philippines to ‘act with caution’ amid South China Sea dispute’ (21 December 2023) https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/21/china-urges-philippines-to-act-with-caution-amid-south-china-sea-dispute accessed 23 December 2023.
• Joel Gehrke, ‘China warns Philippines of dangerous ‘crossroads’ after latest water cannon clash’ (Washington Examiner, 21 December 2023) https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/china-warns-philippines-dangerous-crossroads-water-cannon-clash accessed 23 December 2023.
• Camille Elemia, ‘What It Feels Like to Be the Target of China’s Water Cannons’ (New York Times, 11 December 2023) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/world/asia/china-water-cannon-philippines.html accessed 23 December 2023.