In a dramatic turn of events, China is claiming victimhood in a maritime clash, accusing the Philippines of deliberately ramming one of its coast guard ships on Tuesday. The incident near the disputed Scarborough Shoal also saw Chinese vessels use water cannons against a Philippine fleet, escalating a standoff that has drawn international scrutiny.
The narrative from Beijing is one of Philippine aggression. The Chinese Coast Guard stated that a ship from a flotilla of over ten Philippine government vessels intentionally collided with a Chinese ship. China has labeled the action “egregious” and insists that Manila must bear full responsibility for the consequences of its “provocative” behavior.
This physical encounter follows closely on China’s declaration last week of the area as a “national nature reserve.” Critics dismissed the move as a strategic ploy to legitimize its claim over the shoal, which the Philippines calls Bajo de Masinloc. The Philippine government was already set to issue a diplomatic protest over the environmental designation.
The South China Sea is a powder keg of competing claims, with the Scarborough Shoal serving as a frequent trigger for conflict. China’s assertion of sovereignty over nearly the entire sea is the principal cause of instability, directly challenging the maritime rights of the Philippines and other coastal states.
The international community has largely sided with Manila. A prominent US senator condemned China’s coercive tactics. The UK and Australia have also voiced their concerns. Canada delivered a sharp rebuke, with its embassy in the Philippines stating its opposition to using “environmental protection as a way to take control” of the disputed territory.