China's subliminal war against the Philippines continues as the Philippines arms up and seeks allies like America, Japan, and Australia.
China's subliminal aggression against Second Thomas Atoll continues:
The Philippine coast guard said its vessel was assisting a navy mission to deliver food and supplies to troops stationed on an atoll in the disputed waterway on Feb. 6 when a Chinese coast guard ship directed a 'military-grade laser' at the ship temporarily blinding its crew at the bridge.A Filipino garrison is holding on by its fingernails at Second Thomas Shoal:
Nearly 10 years on [since the BBC visited the outpost], the Sierra Madre is somehow still holding together, more rust and concrete, than steel. And a tiny contingent of Filipino marines still live a precarious existence aboard.
The actions of the Chinese coastguard ship in blocking the Philippine vessel may also breach international law. Whatever Beijing says, the waters around the rusting Sierra Madre do not belong to China.
In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague made a clear ruling. China's claim to a large swathe of the South China Sea, often defined as the nine-dash line, has no basis in international law.
The shoal isn't really land. But the outpost, grounded there in 1999, does keep the Chinese away.
The article has a nice summary that gives an idea of the complexity of the rival claims. And the Philippines isn't purely a victim in the mosaic of claims.
But China has the most power to get its way. And China has been carrying out a subliminal conquest of the South China Sea with concrete and intimidation using its coast guard and naval militia. The cat-and-mouse game of the Philippines supplying the outpost despite Chinese efforts to block them has been going on a long time.
America's position is that while it takes no position on individual claims, resolution of claims should be through diplomacy and not force. And nobody--not even our allies--can claim international waters as territorial waters.
President Marcos says he will resist:
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Saturday that the country "will not lose an inch" of territory, his remarks coming on the heels of continuing maritime tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.
He wants his military to prioritize defending its possessions in the South China Sea:
The Philippine president said the main mission of his country's military has changed to ensure the protection of its territory as disputes with China and U.S.-China rivalry intensify.
The Philippines is in talks with the United States as well as Australia on future joint patrols in the South China Sea, where China's increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters are causing concern, top defense officials in the three nations said Wednesday.
Notwithstanding diplomatic protests, thus far the Philippines isn't willing to escalate to protect its claims against Chinese pressure. But I think we have a good alternative if China manages to sustain its blockade despite the Philippines' efforts.
UPDATE: Thitu island under siege:
The Philippines said on Saturday it had spotted a Chinese navy ship and dozens of militia vessels around a contested Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea, as territorial tensions mount in the area.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
