After a difficult year in the loosely defined maritime boundary region between China and the Philippines, including vessel collisions and Chinese use of water cannons, laser pointers and other non-lethal devices against Filipino Coast Guard and fishing vessels, matters reached a new peak with highly provocative Chinese actions off the Scarborough Reef on December 9-10.
The latest incidents required Washington to remind all parties of its longstanding treaty obligation to defend against attacks on Philippine Armed Forces, its public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard.
Highly strategic transit points
Named after a British ship that was grounded on the atoll nearly three centuries ago, the Scarborough Reef has become one of Asia’s most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for military and diplomatic challenges over sovereignty and fishing rights.
Located 200 km off the Philippines but inside its exclusive economic zone, the reef is known for its bountiful fish stocks and a picturesque turquoise lagoon that provides a form of safe haven for vessels during storms.
Situated in the middle of the South China Sea close to shipping lanes carrying an estimated $3.4 trillion of annual commerce, Scarborough Reef straddles a key strategic location for China.
Manila and Washington are concerned China could decide to build a manmade island there, as it has done on submerged reefs in the Spratly islands, and several are equipped with radar, runways, and missile systems.
Nothing here but us fishermen
China claimed control of the reef in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippines and has since maintained a constant deployment of Coast Guard and fishing trawlers, some accused by Manila of actually being maritime militia, not simple fishermen. As usual, China has not acknowledged the presence of militia in the South China Sea.
China also installed a “floating barrier” intended to restrict Filipino fishing activities, which in and of itself has generated numerous incidents as Manila has reacted by trying to disable it.
The State Department’s press release on December 10 stated:
“Outside Scarborough Reef on December 9 and again near Second Thomas Shoal on December 10, People’s Republic of China (PRC) ships employed water cannons and reckless maneuvers, including forcing a collision, causing damage to Philippine vessels undertaking official supply missions to those locations, and jeopardizing the safety of the Filipino crew. The PRC ships at Scarborough Reef also used acoustic devices, incapacitating the Filipino crew members, and drove away Philippine fishing vessels.
By impeding the safe operations of Philippine vessels carrying provisions to Filipino service members stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, the PRC interfered in lawful Philippine maritime operations and in Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation. Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippines maritime operations undermines regional stability.
These actions reflect not only reckless disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos, but also for international law. As reflected in an international tribunal’s legally binding decision issued in July 2016, the PRC has no lawful maritime claims to the waters around Second Thomas Shoal, and Filipinos are entitled to traditional fishing rights around Scarborough Reef. As provided under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines, and the United States calls upon the PRC to abide by the ruling and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct.
The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of these dangerous and unlawful actions. We reaffirm that Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.”
