Incidents of maritime conflict in the contested South China Sea border region between China and the Philippines have culminated in worrisome tensions. As reported by CNBC on Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard alleged that a Chinese vessel had rammed its boats and discharged water cannons, resulting in significant mechanical damage. Conversely, the Chinese Coast Guard asserted in a statement that the crewmember of the Philippine vessel was at fault for the presuptive collision. The skirmish happened within the Second Thomas Shoal, a component of the international Spratly Island located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The mechanical damage sustained by the Philippine vessel warrants it to be turreted back to Palawan province.
The contentious predicament has been compounded recently due to a rift with United States, taking form with the procession of an American naval cargo in the nearby Second Thomas Shoal not long ago, to which China is scornfully objecting for forparting “regional stable conditions”. China has maintained an adamant demeanour, particulars of which the Philippine Coast Guard continues to confront. This derives ample equivalence to U.S.’s investment of military support, embodying its duty to its treaty ally.
As global tensions continues to contradictory advocacy, the management of authorities across the involved nations is going to determine the arbitru Bluestreak amidst the regional crossfire.
