Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China from January 3 to 6 is likely to be marred by the threat from Chinese activities at Spratly islands. The Philippines government has ordered its military to boost presence in South China Sea, citing a “threat” from Chinese “activities” at Spratly Islands. The order came two days after media reports emerged about China claiming more land in the major archipelago in South China Sea.
Philippines is irritated by China’s constant attempts to reclaim several unoccupied land features in the South China Sea after satellited images emerged in the media about China’s illegitimate attempts of expansion in the South China Sea. For Philippines, it has come as a major setback however, it has begun closely watching China’s growing activity in the South China Sea.
China and Philippines have had a spat in the past after former was pushed for reclamation over a portion of sea. But this time, the Philippines said that it was “seriously concerned” over a report that China has started reclaiming several unoccupied land features in the South China Sea. An international news agency has cited satellite images from US officials, that new land formations have been photographed in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands), which Taiwan claims, where a Chinese vessel with a hydraulic excavator has been seen operating. Philippines foreign affairs ministry condemned the intrusion stating that such activities contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea’s undertaking on self-restraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The satellite image recently taken by the Maxar Technologies shows that a land formation at Anda Reef (Eldad Reef) in the Spratly Islands, which Taiwan claims, is in the disputed South China Sea. However, the ministry has asked other agencies to investigate the report. In past, China has been accused of building artificial islands on reefs in the disputed waters. It has also constructed military facilities and airstrips.
Available reports indicated that Beijing had started building land formations in the unoccupied northern part of Spratlys, over Eldad Reef (Malvar Reef), citing unnamed Western officials. China had been involved in reclamation activities in the area in the past. Similar construction activities took place at Lankiam Cay (Panata Island), Whitsun Reef (Julian Felipe Reef), and Sandy Cay.
Spratly islands have been the bone of contention between China and Philippines. While Philippines has claimed over parts of the Spratly Islands. The 2016 Hague ruling also noted Beijing violated clauses under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for its island-building activities and after the state failed to warn Chinese vessels against activities engaged in the islands.
The development is likely to cast a shadow on Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China in January. Analysts said the chief executive should raise the issue to his counterpart, Chinese President Xi Jinping. “The continuing presence of the Chinese maritime militia, the satellite debris incidence, and the Bloomberg report of new reclamation activities should make the government think about what message the president must
take to Xi Jinping when he visits Beijing,” Amador said.“Obviously, he needs to express his disappointment that China continues to act in an unfriendly manner.”
Experts look at the development closely. Amador raised that China, in return, might leverage its economic propositions for Manila should Marcos raise the issue. However, Pacific Forum International Director of Cybersecurity and Critical Technologies Mark Manantan said the president should make clear the country’s “red lines” in its foreign policy with China, especially when it comes to the West Philippine Sea.
Manantan said that should the Philippines fail to assert the arbitral ruling during Marcos’ China trip, it would “[undermine] the current momentum of the US-Philippine alliance,” noting Washington’s recent high-level visits in Manila, on top of how Manila is getting more support from other nations in asserting the historic ruling.
The Philippines has repeatedly accused Chinese coast guard and maritime militia of harassing and attacking fishing boats and other vessels.In theSpratlys, China has occupied at least seven islands and rocks, militarizing them with runways, ports and radar systems.Fresh reclamations were taking place on Anda Reef Eldad Reef, Whitsun Reef , “Sandy Cay” and Lankiam Cay Yangsin Sand.The latter is 13km northeast of Philippine-occupied Loaita Island (Nanyao Island,) and 53.3km from Chinese-held Subi Reef (Jhubi Reef, About 450km to the east of Lankiam Cay is the Philippine island of Palawan, the nearest major landmass.
As far as Beijing is concerned, it has never admitted its fault. On the contrary, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning said that not taking action on uninhabited islands and reefs of the South China Sea is a solemn consensus reached by China and ASEAN countries through actions and declarations by each party. Chinese officials however maintained that the development of China-Philippines relations currently has gained good momentum, and the two sides will continue to appropriately handle maritime issues through friendly consultation, said Mao Ning.
But Manila is not convinced. It had filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing after a Chinese coast guard vessel “forcefully” seized debris from a Chinese rocket that was retrieved by a Philippine navy vessel.The incident happened in recent past. Denying the use of force, the Chinese embassy in Manila said the handover came after a “friendly consultation.”
Experts however expressed hope that President Marcos’s visit to Beijing would help in stopping China from the habit of reclaiming on Spartly islands and other islands on the South China Sea. However, all eyes will be on Marcos and Xi Jinping when they meet in Beijing.
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