The Philippines, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has pushed back against China’s claims to the resource-rich sea while strengthening U.S. defense ties. His government has signaled its determination to pursue energy resources within the waters, emboldened by a legal victory in 2016 that rejected Beijing’s claims.
However, China maintained its presence in the important thing waterway, resulting in tense clashes with Philippine ships.
Manila has accused China’s coast guard of “barbaric and inhumane behavior” towards Philippine ships, and Marcos last month called the brand new rules a “very disturbing” escalation.
Chinese coast guard ships have repeatedly used water cannons against Filipino boats within the disputed waters.
There were also collisions that injured Filipino soldiers.
Philippine military commander Gen. Romeo Brawner told reporters on Friday that authorities in Manila were “discussing quite a lot of steps that should be taken in order that we will protect our fishermen.”
Filipino fishermen were told “to not be afraid, but just proceed along with your normal activities and fish there in our exclusive economic zone,” Brawner said.
The Group of Seven bloc on Friday criticized what it called China’s “dangerous” incursions into waterways.
“We oppose China’s militarization and its actions of coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea,” the G7 said in an announcement at the top of Friday’s summit.
The South China Sea is a vital waterway, and in some parts of it, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei even have overlapping claims.
But recent confrontations between China and the Philippines have raised fears of a broader maritime conflict that might involve the United States and other allies.
Trillions of dollars in ship trade go through the South China Sea yearly, and there are vast untapped oil and gas reserves beneath the seabed, although estimates vary widely.
The sea can also be vital as a source of fish for a growing population.
China defended its latest coast guard regulations. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said last month that they were intended to “higher maintain order at sea.”
And China’s defense minister warned this month that there are “limits” to Beijing’s restraint within the South China Sea.
China has also been indignant previously about US and other Western warships passing through the South China Sea.
The U.S. Navy and others undertake such voyages to make sure freedom of navigation in international waters, but Beijing views them as an infringement of its sovereignty.
Chinese and US forces have had a series of close encounters within the South China Sea.
