Rising Tensions Between China and the Philippines: "Don't Provoke" vs. "Illegal Use of Force"

China urges "Philippines to stop provocations"
Targeting Philippine president's remarks from the previous day
South China Sea clash incident also resurfaced

The United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines conducted joint naval and air force exercises in the South China Sea on April 7 (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Tensions between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea territorial dispute are rising again.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 24th, "If the Philippines truly wants to exercise its rights according to international law, it must first comply with the territorial provisions established by the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States and Spain," adding, "It must also abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea."

He continued, "China urges the Philippines to stop infringing on authority, provocations, and misleading the international community."

This statement was aimed at Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who visited the Western Command, which oversees the territorial waters of the South China Sea, the day before and said, "The Philippines will not be threatened or oppressed by anyone and will exercise its freedoms and rights according to international law."

The Philippines has also taken a tough stance on the recent armed clash with China in the South China Sea.

According to major foreign media, Gilbert Teodoro, the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, said at a briefing that "We do not take this incident lightly" and that "it was an aggressive and illegal use of force."

Earlier, on the 17th, the Chinese Coast Guard attacked a Philippine Navy vessel performing a supply mission at the disputed area in the South China Sea known as Second Thomas Shoal (Chinese name: Ren'ai Jiao; Philippine name: Ayungin). This incident resulted in multiple injuries, including the amputation of a finger of one Philippine soldier.

This escalated tensions between the two countries, and there were concerns that the United States, which has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, might intervene. However, Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on the 21st, "It was probably a mistake or an accident," and moved to manage the situation.

Nevertheless, just three days later, President Marcos visited the Western Command, and with China once again pressuring the Philippines, tensions between the two countries appear to be rising again.