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2024-01-10 | BY Zheng Zhihua
The grounding of the BRP Sierra Madre was publically acknowledged as accidental and temporary in nature. Since 2010, the Philippines has attempted to reinforce and refurbish the BRP Sierra Madre, and has consistently caused incidents in violation of the DOC's obligations for all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from occupying uninhabited features. It is attempting to unilaterally alter the status quo at Second Thomas Shoal. Manila claim that "Philippines has been in long, continuous, peaceful, uninterrupted, and effective possession of the shoal under international law" is a complete falsehood.[8] At present, there are still over a hundred uninhabited and features in the Spratly Islands. If the Philippines flagrantly violates this commitment, it could trigger a new wave of occupation activities, exacerbate tensions and chaos in the South China Sea, and significantly impede negotiations for a code of conduct in the region.
2023-12-28 | BY Lei Xiaolu
Currently, the China-Philippines relationship is at the crossroads. In 2023, the Philippines undertook a major shift in its orientation of the South China Sea policy. The Philippines and the US strengthened the military and paramilitary cooperation in the region, announcing 4 additional military sites under the 2014 EDCA and conducting joint patrols and joint exercise in the South China Sea. Despite this, the Philippines becomes more provocative at the sea.
2023-11-24 | BY Hu Xin
This year, with the encouragement and support of extra-regional countries, some claimant countries have taken frequent unilateral and provocative actions, which have aggravated the volatility of the situation in the South China Sea. In this circumstance, China and ASEAN countries urgently need to consolidate and enhance political mutual trust under the framework of the DOC, continue to promote practical maritime cooperation in the South China Sea, contribute to the construction of regional maritime governance, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region.
2023-09-25 | BY Fu Ying
Recently, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) again started provocations over Huangyan Dao (also known as Scarborough Shoal). They have issued an announcement stating “strongly condemn the China Coast Guard’s (CCG’s) installation of floating barrier in the Southeast portion of Bajo de Masinloc (Huangyan Dao), which prevents Filipino Fishing Boats (FFBs) from entering the shoal and depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities.” It is thus once again stirring up international attention on Huangyan Dao.
To provide more information on Huangyan Dao and the related issues, we are posting a piece of work from Fu Ying’s book "Seeing the World 2" which gives a complete narration of the 2012 Huangyan Dao incident. This piece is excerpted from the book’s Chapter Five“Peace Issues in Asia", the first article " Huangyan Dao: What Actually Happened in 2012". We hope this will help the readers better understand the situation.
2023-09-14 | BY Chen Xiangmiao
The dispute between China and the Philippines over the Second Thomas shoal reflects one aspect of relevant disputes in the South China Sea, that is, conflicting territorial claims over some islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands, which is beyond the jurisdiction of the arbitral Tribunal for the so-called South China Sea Arbitration. Experience in Asia has proved that sincere and friendly dialogue and consultation between parties directly concerned is the best way to resolve relevant maritime and land disputes. The Philippines should work with China to be a model student of maritime dispute resolution instead of dragging down the development of the regional situation.