The Philippines on Tuesday vowed to protect its territory “at all cost” following another confrontation with the Chinese navy in the South China Sea.
The two sides gave sharply differing accounts of the encounter, which occurred near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
Beijing said it “blocked” a Filipino ship’s “illegal intrusion” into Chinese territory and demanded Manila “avoid further escalation of the situation.”
The Philippines said it has “every right” to transit the area and denied that its ship was blocked or pushed away. “An illegal occupant cannot prevent the legitimate owner from entering his own house and backyard,” a military spokesperson said Tuesday.
Both the U.S. and China have deployed aircraft carrier strike groups in the region, with Washington warning it will defend the Philippines in the event of an armed attack.
Japan, Australia, and other traditional U.S. allies have expressed support for the Philippines recently, sending ships on freedom of navigation missions through the South China Sea. The Netherlands this week said it will send warships to patrol the region with the Philippines in 2024.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? The latest encounter intensifies an already dangerous climate, with both sides deploying naval forces in addition to those of their coast guards. As tensions worsen, both sides have also made greater efforts to control the narrative following such run-ins.
SUGGESTED READING:
- Bloomberg: Philippines to Protect Territory ‘At All Cost’ Amid Sea Row by Cliff Harvey Venzon
- Al Jazeera: Philippines Says Its Ships Have ‘Every Right’ to Be Near Scarborough Shoal
