The recent clash of the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea marks a significant escalation in the territorial disputes between China and the Philippines. On June 17, 2024, Chinese coast guard vessels rammed and boarded Philippine navy boats, resulting in injuries and the seizure of supplies intended for Filipino troops stationed at the shoal. This aggressive move underscores China’s increasingly forceful tactics to assert its claims in the region, despite international rulings against them and widespread condemnation.
In February 2023, senior Philippine officials, including National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, faced a critical decision. They had to choose whether to release photos of what the Coast Guard identified as a Chinese military-grade laser aimed at a Philippine ship, a move that could escalate tensions with Beijing.
The altercation on June 17 involved more than eight Chinese coast guard motorboats charging and repeatedly ramming two Philippine Navy inflatable boats. Chinese personnel boarded and damaged the Philippine vessels, injuring several Filipino sailors and seizing weapons and navigation equipment. The confrontation was an attempt by China to block the Philippine navy from delivering supplies, including food and firearms, to their troops at Second Thomas Shoal, an area claimed by China.
This incident follows a pattern of increasing aggression by China in the South China Sea, a region with substantial oil and natural gas reserves and critical trade routes. The United States has condemned China’s actions, labeling them as “aggression” and “provocation,” and has increased its military presence in the area to counter China’s territorial claims and protect its political and economic interests.
The South China Sea is a highly contested region bordered by Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. China’s territorial claims, represented by the “nine-dash line,” cover about 90% of the South China Sea, including areas close to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. These claims are based on “historical maritime rights,” which are not clearly defined and exceed what is permitted under international maritime law.
In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s claims violated international law. However, China rejected the tribunal’s authority and has continued its assertive actions in the region.
The recent clash has drawn condemnation from the international community. The U.S. State Department, along with Canada, Australia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, denounced China’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions.” Despite these statements, there is growing concern about the effectiveness of international responses in deterring China’s behavior.
This incident has brought the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) closer to activation. The treaty obliges the U.S. to come to the Philippines’ aid if its armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft are attacked in the South China Sea. U.S. officials have repeatedly assured Manila of their commitment to this treaty, but there is increasing pressure for the U.S. to take more concrete actions beyond issuing statements of condemnation.
The Philippines and its allies are now at a critical juncture. Decisions on how to respond to China’s aggression, including the potential involvement of international partners in resupply operations, must be made carefully to avoid further escalation and potential conflict. The situation underscores the delicate balance between asserting territorial rights and maintaining regional stability in the face of China’s increasingly aggressive stance in the South China Sea.
