Chinese Coast Guard Fires Water Cannon on Philippine Ship in South China Sea Dispute
In a recent incident in the South China Sea, a Chinese coast guard ship fired water cannon on a smaller Philippine counterpart, raising concerns about the potential for conflict in the region. However, what is even more alarming is the evidence of the links between the Chinese military and an alleged maritime militia known as Beijing’s “little blue men,” according to analysts.
Video footage supplied by the Philippines shows multiple Chinese vessels blocking its ship from supplying a remote military outpost on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. While most of the Chinese ships involved are marked as “China Coast Guard,” there are also at least two blue-hulled vessels resembling fishing boats. Western marine security experts, along with the Philippines and the United States, believe these boats belong to a Beijing-controlled maritime militia that acts as an unofficial and deniable force used by China to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea and beyond.
This maritime militia, believed to be hundreds of vessels strong, was also involved in the swarming of Whitsun Reef, another Philippine-claimed feature in the Spratlys, with up to 220 vessels in 2021. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela stated that in this particular operation, it can be concluded that the Chinese fishing vessel is not just a fishing vessel but a Chinese maritime militia taking orders from the Chinese coast guard to support their operations in blocking the resupply.
The incident occurred as the Philippines attempted to resupply a contingent of marines stationed on Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed feature of the Spratly Islands. The shoal is located more than 620 miles from mainland China’s southernmost shore and about 120 miles from the Philippine island of Palawan. The Philippines grounded a World War II-era warship, the Sierra Madre, on the shoal in 1999 to assert its claim to sovereignty. However, the vessel’s isolation and aging condition make it an easy target for harassment.
China claimed that the Philippines violated its sovereignty by grounding the ship on the shoal. The Chinese Coast Guard stated that the action it took last weekend was professional and restrained. The shoal is just one of many disputed features in the South China Sea, with Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan also having competing sovereignty claims. China’s claims are the most expansive, asserting almost all of the 1.3 million square miles of the sea as its sovereign territory, despite a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal in the Hague denying those claims.
Over the past two decades, China has occupied several reefs and atolls in the South China Sea, constructing military installations, including runways and ports. Western experts warn that the alleged maritime militia, funded and controlled by the People’s Liberation Army, is a force to be reckoned with. It could be used to swiftly surround any disputed reef or island, acting alone or in coordination with the coast guard or the PLA Navy.
While this is not the first time suspected militia vessels have been caught on camera, many experts believe that the latest video provides one of the most compelling illustrations of the interaction between the Chinese military and the militia. The symbiotic relationship between the two became even clearer in 2021 when the China Coast Guard came under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Central Military Commission, effectively making it part of Beijing’s military.
Experts emphasize that such operations cannot be carried out without pre-planning and real-time communication between the Chinese military and the maritime militia. The incident highlights the potential for escalation and the need for continued monitoring and diplomatic efforts to address the tensions in the South China Sea.
What are the potential consequences of China’s continuous challenges to presence in the South China Sea for regional stability and security?
Presence has been continuously challenged by China, which claims nearly the entire South China Sea as its territory.
China’s actions in the South China Sea have been a point of contention among neighboring countries and the international community. The water cannon incident is just one example of the escalating tensions in the region. Analysts and experts warn that these actions could potentially lead to a full-blown conflict if not properly addressed.
The involvement of Beijing’s maritime militia, often referred to as the “little blue men,” further complicates the situation. This militia, believed to consist of hundreds of vessels, acts as an unofficial and deniable force used by China to assert its territorial claims. Their involvement in blocking the resupply of the Philippine military outpost on Second Thomas Shoal is a clear indication of their role in supporting China’s operations.
The Philippines has been attempting to assert its claim to Second Thomas Shoal by stationing marines on the disputed feature. However, China’s continuous harassment and attempts to block the resupply only further demonstrate their disregard for international law and their determination to assert their dominance in the region.
The South China Sea is a crucial waterway for international trade and is rich in natural resources. Numerous countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan, have overlapping claims in the area. The disputes over these claims have been a longstanding issue, with China asserting its dominance by constructing artificial islands and militarizing them.
The incident between the Chinese Coast Guard and the Philippine ship highlights the urgent need for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the ongoing South China Sea dispute. The international community must work together to ensure that actions like these do not escalate into a larger conflict. ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has played a key role in facilitating dialogue and negotiation among the claimant states, but more needs to be done to address the concerns and grievances of all parties involved.
The South China Sea dispute is not just a regional issue; it has implications for global stability and security. It is crucial for all stakeholders to come together and find a peaceful resolution that respects international law and upholds the freedom of navigation in the region. Failure to do so could have serious consequences for the stability and prosperity of the entire Asia-Pacific region.
This is concerning. It’s important to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.