Philippines assures China of restraint after ship clashes – will tensions ease?
the Philippines and China have entered what analysts describe as a risky and potentially volatile phase after an accidental collision between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal, one of the most contested features in the
South China Sea
The rare mishap involving the vessels from the Chinese coastguard and navy during a high-speed chase of a Philippine coastguard ship has raised the risk of Beijing adopting a more aggressive posture as it seeks to save face, potentially leading to further tensions in the disputed waters, according to analysts.
Chester Cabalza, founding president of the International Development and Security Cooperation think tank in Manila, said the Chinese coastguard and navy could 'launch a thousand assets from the sea, cyber, air, and ground to redeem its military image in the region' because of the 'embarrassing collision'.
Nonetheless, officials in Manila reaffirmed the Philippines' intention to exercise restraint while defending its sovereignty in response to the incident on August 11 and other subsequent maritime activities involving Chinese vessels.
'We will not be intimidated. And we will continue to have our presence felt to protect and defend sovereignty in our jurisdiction,' said Undersecretary Alexander Lopez, spokesman for the National Maritime Council, the government's coordinating and policymaking body on maritime concerns, during a press briefing on Monday.
Borrowing a line from President
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr , Lopez said: 'Now, we do not intensify operations, we just respond.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
21 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Brazil seeks China's support to salvage maritime emissions pact opposed by Trump
Brazil is banking on China to support a landmark UN effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions generated by international shipping as governments prepare for a decisive October vote on the plan. One of the staunchest supporters of the International Maritime Organisation's proposed Net-Zero Framework, Brasilia is waiting for China to clarify its position on implementation of the plan, Ports and Airports Minister Sílvio Filho told reporters on Wednesday. The situation is setting up a stand-off with the administration of US President Donald Trump, which generally opposes any environmental mandates. The framework will require large ocean-going vessels that do not meet fuel-efficiency standards to pay for their carbon emissions starting in 2027. Ships over the base-level target will be charged US$380 per tonne of greenhouse gases, measured in carbon dioxide equivalent, while those missing the stricter Direct Compliance target will pay US$100 per tonne. Revenue from the system will be used to reward the application of cleaner fuels and support a 'just transition', helping developing countries adopt new green technologies. It still needs formal adoption at an extraordinary IMO session set for October. If approved, companies would have to meet the full emissions requirements starting in 2028.
South China Morning Post
7 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump tariffs spark India-China reset, Chinese city's biotech dream: SCMP daily highlights
Catch up on some of SCMP's biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing The world's two most-populous countries made significant progress on the diplomatic front recently, and those championing such moves may have Washington to thank. South China's Guangdong province has announced its ambition to join the country's race to expand its commercial space sector, promising financial and policy support for companies wanting to build low-orbit satellite constellation systems and promote their application in futuristic industries including space mining and space tourism. Ilustration: Brian Wang Could a city best known for its classical gardens and ancient canals emerge as China's answer to Boston – the global epicentre of biotechnology innovation?
South China Morning Post
7 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Philippines assures China of restraint after ship clashes – will tensions ease?
Maritime tensions between the Philippines and China have entered what analysts describe as a risky and potentially volatile phase after an accidental collision between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal, one of the most contested features in the South China Sea The rare mishap involving the vessels from the Chinese coastguard and navy during a high-speed chase of a Philippine coastguard ship has raised the risk of Beijing adopting a more aggressive posture as it seeks to save face, potentially leading to further tensions in the disputed waters, according to analysts. Chester Cabalza, founding president of the International Development and Security Cooperation think tank in Manila, said the Chinese coastguard and navy could 'launch a thousand assets from the sea, cyber, air, and ground to redeem its military image in the region' because of the 'embarrassing collision'. Nonetheless, officials in Manila reaffirmed the Philippines' intention to exercise restraint while defending its sovereignty in response to the incident on August 11 and other subsequent maritime activities involving Chinese vessels. 'We will not be intimidated. And we will continue to have our presence felt to protect and defend sovereignty in our jurisdiction,' said Undersecretary Alexander Lopez, spokesman for the National Maritime Council, the government's coordinating and policymaking body on maritime concerns, during a press briefing on Monday. Borrowing a line from President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr , Lopez said: 'Now, we do not intensify operations, we just respond.'
