China, Philippines hold talks post chaotic clashes in disputed South China Sea
- In Reports
- 11:36 PM, Jul 02, 2024
- Myind Staff
On Tuesday, China and the Philippines held a crucial meeting to attempt to ease escalating tensions following their worst confrontation in the disputed South China Sea, which sparked fears of a wider conflict potentially involving Manila’s ally, the United States.
Notably, there was no mention of any major agreement to prevent a repeat of the chaotic June 17 clash at Second Thomas Shoal, which resulted in injuries to Filipino navy personnel and damage to two military boats.
The shoal off the northwestern Philippines has become the most dangerous flashpoint in the disputed waters, which China claims almost entirely. Chinese naval and civilian vessels surrounded Philippine marines aboard a grounded ship, attempted to block their resupply, and demanded that the Philippines withdraw.
The Chinese and Philippine delegations “affirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions without prejudice to their respective positions,” the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said in a statement late Tuesday. “There was substantial progress on developing measures to manage the situation at sea, but significant differences remain."
Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro told her Chinese counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong, “that the Philippines will be relentless in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction” in the South China Sea, according to the Philippine side.
An agreement was signed to improve communication during sea emergencies, and both sides agreed to ongoing discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between their coast guards, although specifics were not disclosed.
Additionally, a confidence-building measure was proposed to convene an academic forum involving scientists and academics to enhance marine scientific cooperation.
Ahead of the meeting, the Philippines intended to formally request that China's delegation return at least seven rifles seized by Chinese coast guard personnel during the June 17 confrontation at the shoal, and also to compensate for damages, according to a Philippine official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authority to discuss the sensitive matter publicly.
The Asian neighbours agreed to continue holding what they term the Bicameral Consultative Mechanism meetings, initially convened in 2017, to peacefully manage their disputes. However, high-sea confrontations have continued, particularly under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who, unlike his predecessor, has fostered closer military and defense relations with the United States as a counterbalance to China.
Apart from the Philippines and China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also lay overlapping claims to the strategic sea, which has rich fishing areas and potentially more deposits of gas than what has been found mostly in the fringes by a few coastal states so far.
Sporadic confrontations have erupted in the past between Chinese forces and those of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, the Southeast Asian nations have avoided aggressive confrontation with China, concerned that doing so could destabilise their significant economic ties.
Under Marcos, who assumed office in 2022, the Philippines initiated a campaign to expose aggressive Chinese actions. This involved publicly releasing videos and photographs and permitting journalists to accompany coast guard patrol ships, which have been involved in tense confrontations with Beijing's forces.
The U.S. does not assert territorial claims over the disputed waters, but it has deployed warships and fighter jets for patrols aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight. These actions also aim to reassure allies such as the Philippines and Japan, which also have territorial disputes with China over islands in the East China Sea.
Following last month's confrontation at Second Thomas Shoal, where Chinese forces were captured on video wielding machetes, an axe, and improvised spears, Washington reiterated its commitment to defend the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. This includes supporting Filipino forces, including the coast guard, in the event of an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.
Marcos said the Chinese actions would not activate the treaty because no shots were fired.
Image source: AP
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