Philippines Rallies Allies Amid Escalating South China Sea Tensions

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Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has called for a summit of its Pacific allies on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The gathering is aimed at finding ways to prevent further escalation and to send a unified message to China, according to Jose Manuel Romualdez, Manila’s envoy to the United States. The meeting comes as fears grow that a single misstep in the contested waters could trigger a broader conflict.

The latest maritime clashes between China and the Philippines are increasing tensions in the South China Sea. Washington could find itself dragged into a direct conflict with Beijing.

Watch: Why the South China Sea Could Spark a US-China War https://t.co/PYDN373HUi pic.twitter.com/C7qgV9cuD0

— Bloomberg Originals (@bbgoriginals) September 10, 2024

 

The Philippines has been increasingly vocal about China’s aggressive maritime activities, with the Philippine Navy reporting a growing number of Chinese vessels, including warships, in the disputed waters. These tensions have resulted in several skirmishes between the two countries, the most recent of which saw a Filipino sailor lose a finger during a clash in June.

 

The current focus of these disputes is the Sabina Shoal, a coral atoll in the contested Spratly Islands, which lies closer to the Philippines than previous flashpoints like the Second Thomas Shoal. This new area of conflict emerged after a fragile agreement was reached between the two nations to reduce confrontations at the Second Thomas Shoal.

 

The stakes in the South China Sea are high, with $3 trillion in trade passing through the area annually. China’s claim of sovereignty over most of the South China Sea has been a source of ongoing tension, not only with the Philippines but also with other nations in the region. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, reported the largest-ever presence of Chinese ships in the disputed waters for the third consecutive week, with 238 ships or militia vessels swarming the area. Despite a brief withdrawal during tropical storm Enteng, the Chinese vessels were quickly replaced, highlighting the persistent nature of the tensions.

 

Romualdez emphasized that the summit's purpose is to show China that the Philippines is not alone in its concerns. "The more countries band together and give a message to China that what they are doing is definitely not on the right side of history, then we have a better than even chance that they will not make the wrong move that we are all fearing," he said. He added that the Philippines “has never faced this type of challenge since World War II,” underscoring the severity of the situation.

 

The summit is expected to take place during the week of September 22, aiming to signal to China that the Philippines, along with its allies, is united in its opposition to China's actions in the Indo-Pacific region. Romualdez did not disclose the specific nations expected to attend but emphasized the importance of presenting a unified front to deter further aggression.

As tensions continue to simmer, the possibility of a misstep at sea triggering a larger conflict looms ever closer.

 

The involvement of the United States, the Philippines' chief ally, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The summit will be a critical moment for the Philippines and its allies to coordinate their response to the ongoing challenges in the South China Sea and to seek ways to prevent a potential escalation into armed conflict.

 

Credit: The Independent 2024-09-13

 

 

 

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[Tug]

I agree the free world needs to show the flag a major fleet exercise would do it + escorting traffic in the area!

[mfd101]

51 minutes ago, Tug said:

I agree the free world needs to show the flag a major fleet exercise would do it + escorting traffic in the area!

The only thing that will make China reflect and step back is to sink one of its 'coast guard' vessels in process of carrying out aggressive acts (eg ramming a Philippine ship).

[Gweiloman]

17 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

The only thing that will make China reflect and step back is to sink one of its 'coast guard' vessels in process of carrying out aggressive acts (eg ramming a Philippine ship).

And who do you think will try to sink one of China’s Coast Guards vessels? A Filipino fishing trawler?

 

Naivety in the extreme.

[mfd101]

9 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

And who do you think will try to sink one of China’s Coast Guards vessels?

Obviously the USN (if at all).

[Wrwest]

4 hours ago, Tug said:

I agree the free world needs to show the flag a major fleet exercise would do it + escorting traffic in the area!

This is the show of united force I would like to see. Ships of many nations simply sailing together in international waters, disregarding the illegal and overstepping PRC unilateral claim of sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. I consider myself as a long time friend of China but this claim was a serious misstep and I do not see an easy face-saving means of escaping reality. My recommendation for China is to quietly stop the aggressive behavior trying to enforce its unilateral claim which the other global nations will not accept. This action is not in China's long term interest in progressing to becoming a respected leader nation.