What is driving the rising tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea?
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged for greater urgency in negotiations over a code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea, accusing China of "harassment and intimidation" in the region. Addressing leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Marcos emphasized the need for substantive progress and called on all parties to be "earnestly open to seriously managing differences" and easing tensions. He stressed, "There should be more urgency in the pace of negotiations on the ASEAN-China code of conduct," according to a statement from his office on Thursday.
The concept of a maritime code was first agreed upon by China and ASEAN in 2002, but negotiations on its content only began in 2017.
Marcos expressed regret that the situation in the South China Sea remains tense, stating, "We continue to be subjected to harassment and intimidation." Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of intentional confrontations at sea, including boat collisions, and Manila accusing the Chinese coastguard of using water cannons against its troops and engaging in violent altercations involving spears and knives. In August alone, there were six confrontations, mostly near Scarborough Shoal and Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands, an area within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), but claimed by China.
Despite efforts by both countries to manage their maritime dispute, tensions have worsened since a June altercation in which a Filipino sailor lost a finger. China blames the Philippines for the confrontations, accusing Filipino troops of "illegally" entering its territory. In September, Beijing said its relationship with Manila was "at a crossroads" and urged the Philippines to carefully consider the future of their ties.
The rising tensions have also drawn the attention of the United States, which has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines. The U.S. has vowed to defend Filipino forces in the event of an attack by a third party, including coastguard personnel, aircraft, or public vessels in the South China Sea.
