Tensions in the South China Sea reached a boiling point this weekend when a Chinese coast guard vessel rammed a Philippine government ship, escalating an already volatile territorial dispute. But here's where it gets controversial: While China claims the incident was a response to illegal trespassing, the Philippines and its allies argue it’s yet another example of Beijing’s aggressive expansionism in the region. So, who’s really to blame? Let’s dive in.
On Sunday, a Chinese coast guard ship unleashed a powerful water cannon and then collided with the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a Philippine fisheries vessel anchored near Thitu Island—a territory inhabited by Filipinos and claimed by both nations. The collision caused minor damage but, thankfully, no injuries to the Filipino crew. This incident marks the latest flare-up in the long-standing dispute over the South China Sea, a critical trade route contested by China, the Philippines, and four other governments.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s historic claims to nearly the entire South China Sea, Beijing continues to assert its sovereignty—a move backed by neither the United States nor its Western and Asian allies, including Japan, Australia, the European Union, and Canada. Yet, China remains undeterred, labeling the ruling as illegitimate and doubling down on its control over the region.
The Chinese coast guard justified its actions by accusing the Philippine vessels of illegally entering what it calls Chinese waters near Sandy Cay, a cluster of sandbars between Thitu and China’s artificial island base, Subi Reef. According to China, the Philippine ships ignored repeated warnings, forcing the coast guard to take ‘control measures’ to drive them away. But the Philippines tells a different story.
Philippine coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela described the Chinese actions as ‘dangerous and provocative,’ emphasizing that Manila will not surrender ‘a square inch of our territory to any foreign power.’ Video footage released by the Philippine coast guard shows the Chinese vessel firing a water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, striking the ship and its Philippine flags before ramming its stern.
The U.S. swiftly condemned China’s actions, labeling them a defiance of international law and reaffirming its support for the Philippines, a key treaty ally. U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson praised the Filipino crew for their ‘tremendous valor and skill’ in the face of aggression.
Here’s where opinions start to clash: China’s coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun countered that the Philippine vessels entered waters near Sandy Cay—which China calls Tiexian Reef—without permission, and one ship dangerously approached the Chinese vessel, causing a scrape. Liu placed full blame on the Philippines, accusing it of destabilizing the region and issued a stern warning to cease ‘infringement and harassment.’
But the Philippines remains defiant. Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, commandant of the Philippine coast guard, stated that the incident only strengthens their resolve. ‘Neither water cannons nor ramming will deter us from protecting our territory and supporting our fisherfolk,’ he declared, echoing President Ferdinand Marcos’ commitment to safeguarding Philippine sovereignty.
Thitu Island, the largest of nine Philippine-occupied islands in the Spratlys archipelago, is at the heart of this dispute. China has transformed seven barren reefs in the area into militarized island bases, complete with missile systems and runways—Subi Reef being one of them, located just 20 kilometers from Thitu. This proximity only heightens tensions, as both nations lay claim to the same waters.
So, what’s next? As the South China Sea continues to be a flashpoint for global conflict, the question remains: Can diplomacy prevail, or are we headed for further escalation? What do you think? Is China justified in its actions, or is this another example of unchecked aggression? Let us know in the comments below.
