Philippine President calls for action against China's South China Sea harassment
- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned China's aggressive tactics in the South China Sea during a summit with Southeast Asian leaders in Laos.
- Marcos highlighted specific incidents of harassment, including ramming of boats and the use of water cannons by Chinese forces near the disputed Sabina Shoal.
- He urged for concerted efforts among regional leaders to prevent further confrontations, reflecting an increasing need for solidarity against China's assertive maritime claims.
The South China Sea has remained a focal point of escalating tensions, particularly between the Philippines and China. At a recent summit in Laos on October 10, 2024, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the ongoing harassment from Chinese maritime forces, including ramming of boats and aggressive tactics against Filipino fishermen. This follows a series of confrontations over territory, notably near the disputed Sabina Shoal, which is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone as per international law. The situation has prompted calls for Asean leaders to collaboratively address the aggressive behavior exhibited by China, which disregards international standards and laws. Marcos emphasized the need for urgent measures to prevent further incidents and reduce the prevailing tensions, stating that public concern regarding the aggressive maneuvers by Chinese forces is significant. In a parallel development, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended the summit to reaffirm the importance of upholding international law in the region, indicating a broader geopolitical concern involving the United States as it conducts regular maritime patrols to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight. The geopolitical landscape appears increasingly complex as nations like the Philippines and Vietnam, despite their own conflicting claims, seek to boost defense collaboration against common maritime threats. The recent accusations of Chinese law enforcement abusing Vietnamese fishermen highlight the urgency for regional solidarity and cooperative measures to counter growing aggression in a region marked by rich resources and strategic significance.