China Coast Guard Expels Philippine Vessels from Scarborough Shoal, Escalating South China Sea Tensions

On April 29, 2024, China's coast guard reported that it had 'expelled' a Philippine coast guard ship and another vessel from waters adjacent to the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident is the latest clash between China and the Philippines over the disputed atoll, which both countries claim as their own.

According to the China Coast Guard, the Philippine coast guard ship 4410 and government ship 3004 had 'intruded' into the waters near Huangyan Island, the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal. In response, China's coast guard vessels fired water cannons at the Philippine ships, causing damage to one of them during a mission to resupply Filipino fishermen in the area.

The Philippine Coast Guard stated that the damage to their vessel serves as evidence of the "forceful water pressure" used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels. Despite the harassment and provocative actions, the Philippine ships continued their maritime patrol.

Why this matters: The incident escalates tensions amid the competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, a major shipping route where China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire area, conflicting with claims by the Philippines and four other countries. The clash also comes as the Philippines and the United States hold a major annual military exercise that has infuriated Beijing.

China seized the Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012 and has since deployed coast guard and other vessels that Manila says harass Philippine ships and prevent its fishermen from accessing the fish-rich lagoon there. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China's claims to the South China Sea have no legal basis, but China continues to assert control over the strategic waterway.

Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased recently, especially after the Philippines forged stronger diplomatic and military ties with the United States. Both nations have repeatedly accused each other of aggressive maneuvers in the area. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that the China Coast Guard had reinstalled a 380-meter floating barrier across the entrance to the Scarborough Shoal, restricting access to the waters inside.

Key Takeaways

• China's coast guard expelled Philippine vessels from Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
• China fired water cannons at Philippine ships, damaging one, during a resupply mission.
• The incident escalates tensions over competing territorial claims in the strategic South China Sea.
• China seized Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012 and has since restricted access.
• Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased due to their strengthening ties with the US.