In our previous episode - China's Maritime Aggression - we reviewed China's relations with its neighbors and in particular with the Philippines, including the recent clashes between China's coast guard and Philippine vessels at Ayungin Shoal (aka Second Thomas Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea. I'd highly recommend that you take a moment to listen to that episode first before diving in here if you haven't already done so.
Beijing and Manila have been locked in a tense standoff in recent months as China continues to press claims to almost the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 International Tribunal ruling that its claims have no legal basis.
It was hoped that an agreement reached in late July on resupply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal would help to smooth relations between China and the Philippines, however as many analysts had warned, this turned out not to be the case.
In this episode, we review some of the key events since late July that appear to be contributing to increased tensions. These include China's ongoing military exercises in the South China Sea as well as joint patrols carried out between the Philippines, its allies and its neighbors. Tensions reached a dangerous peak during an encounter between China's PLAAF fighter jets and a Philippines Air Force patrol plane on August 8th in the skies over Bajo De Masinloc (aka Scarborough Shoal) during which the PLAAF dropped flares in the path of the Philippines' plane. The event was caught on video and can be seen on social media by @FMangosingINQ here.
In this podcast we share the official response from the Philippines to this encounter, as well as a statement from China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning. We also discuss how China's increasingly aggressive behavior is driving its neighbors to form stronger alliances as well as views from analysts on what might lay behind China's increased aggression.
Date of Recording: August 15th, 2024.
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| The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in collaboration with the armed forces of Australia, Canada, and United States of America conducted a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the Western Command (WESCOM) within Philippine exclusive economic zone in early August 2024. |
DIVE DEEPER:
Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:
- Philippines urges China to de-escalate tensions after air incident over Scarborough Shoal - Reuters (August 12th, 2024)
- Armed Forces of the Philippines Statement On the Maritime Patrol Incident at Bajo De Masinloc (aka Second Thomas Shoal) (August 10th, 2024)
- Vietnam holds joint drill in South China Sea to strengthen territorial claims - VOA News (August 12th, 2024)
- Beijing, Manila and allies, launch drills near South China Sea flashpoint - Aljazeera (August 7th, 2024)
- Japan and Philippines' defense pact seeks to counter China's aggression in the region, experts say - Dylan Butts, CNBC (July 9th, 2024)
- China and the Philippines announce deal aimed at stopping clashes at fiercely disputed shoal - Jim Gomez, AP (July 22nd, 2024)
- China blasts US-Japan-Philippines summit, lodges representations - Global Times (April 12th, 2024)
- Why China's "Little Blue Men" are a Big Problem - Ariana L., SeaLight (August 16th, 2024)
- South China Sea: Beijing bankrolls science missions as conflict heats up waterway - Coy Li, SCMP (August 9th, 2024)
- Navy escorts two Chinese ships travelling through Channel to Russian navy day - Helen Corbett, Independent (UK), (August 10th, 2024)
- Chinese Warships 'Flex Muscle' In The English Channel; British Royal Navy Keeps A Close Watch On PLA-N - Ashish Dangwal, Eurasian Times (August 10th, 2024)
- @BRPSierraMadre explains China's use of "Cabbage Tactics" to assert dominance and expand its control in the South China Sea
- Facts First Podcast - Christian Esguerra talks with David Nye about his experience working for the Global Times and his thoughts on China's aggression against the Philippines and in the South China Sea.
