On Sunday, the China Coast Guard (CCG) announced the expulsion of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel that repeatedly intruded into waters near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea from February 2 to 9. The CCG, emphasizing its professional response, reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding China’s national sovereignty.
Gan Yu, CCG spokesperson, reported that despite repeated warnings, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701 persisted in its unauthorized entries into the waters adjacent to Huangyan Island. The CCG employed measures to redirect the vessel, maintaining a professional approach in accordance with norms. China asserts unequivocal sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its neighboring waters, and the CCG vows to uphold China’s national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Experts view the Philippines’ deliberate provocations during the Chinese Lunar New Year as intentional, foreseeing no benefits from such actions. Instead, they believe it will exacerbate the erosion of mutual trust, disrupt the political atmosphere, and potentially influence Chinese public perception of the Philippines.
Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, suggested that the Philippines aimed to exploit China’s traditional holiday season to secure advantages at sea. However, the deliberate move failed to yield any benefits, underscoring China’s constant vigilance.
Following the Eighth Meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea on January 17, where both nations emphasized maintaining communication and dialogue for maritime peace, the Philippines continued to provoke, indicating a shift in its South China Sea policy under the new administration.
The recent provocations, including accusations of “dangerous” maneuvers by Chinese vessels, are perceived as Manila’s strategy to manipulate public opinion. In contrast to the previous understanding between China and the Philippines during Rodrigo Duterte’s era, recent actions indicate a departure from the mutual understanding in terms of maritime operations.
China has responded forcefully to safeguard its rights, encouraging the Philippines to return to diplomatic negotiations and consultation for managing maritime disputes. The measures underscore China’s unwavering determination and red lines in preserving territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea, particularly around Huangyan Island, with a commitment to prevent a recurrence of incidents like the 2012 Huangyan Island confrontation.
Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, emphasized that China will not permit any violation of its red lines, including entry into the lagoon of Huangyan Island, reiterating a firm stance against the repetition of past incidents.