What disputed territories are China and Philippines sparring over in the South China Sea?

Summary

This video discusses rising tensions between China and the Philippines over disputed territories in the South China Sea, particularly the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands. The conflict escalated with recent clashes involving Chinese and Philippine vessels. The Philippines has accused China of interfering with its sovereignty, while China continues to assert its claims, despite a 2016 ruling in favor of the Philippines by an international tribunal. The video also touches on the strengthening of US-Philippine relations and broader geopolitical implications in the region, involving countries like India and Vietnam.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated due to disputes over the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
• 🤝 India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the Philippines, expressing India's support for the Philippines' national sovereignty, a stance rejected by China.
• 🚢 The Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard of using water cannons to injure its personnel in disputed waters near the Second Thomas Shoal.
• 🏝️ The Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, while China claims the entire Spratly Islands archipelago, leading to ongoing territorial disputes.
• ⚖️ In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, rejecting China's claims over large areas of the South China Sea, but China has disregarded the ruling.
• 🔄 Since the end of Rodrigo Duterte's presidency, the Philippines has strengthened its ties with the US under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., including revising a Mutual Defense Treaty and increasing US military base access.
• 💥 The Philippines and the US have conducted large-scale joint military exercises, with 18,000 soldiers participating in the latest drills.
• ⛽ The Spratly Islands and nearby waters are believed to hold rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas deposits, fueling the dispute.
• 🗺️ In August 2023, China released a controversial map asserting its claims over the South China Sea, including areas ruled against in the 2016 court decision, sparking protests from the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and others.
• 🚨 China's use of 'gray zone' and hybrid warfare tactics, such as using Coast Guard and fishing vessels to assert its claims, has intensified tensions in the region.

Q & A

What are the primary reasons for the recent tensions between China and the Philippines?

The tensions are mainly over disputed territories in the South China Sea, particularly the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands, which are rich in fishing areas and potential gas and oil deposits.

What are the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands, and why are they important?

The Scarborough Shoal is located about 120 nautical miles west of the Philippine island of Luzon, within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. The Spratly Islands consist of over 100 islands and reefs, with both China and the Philippines (along with other nations) claiming parts of the archipelago. These areas are important due to their rich fishing grounds and potential energy resources.

How has the Philippines responded to Chinese actions in the South China Sea?

The Philippines has accused China of using aggressive tactics, such as water cannon attacks by the Chinese Coast Guard, and preventing the resupply of Philippine personnel at the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines has also summoned Beijing’s envoy to address these incidents.

What is the significance of the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration?

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources in the South China Sea and found that China had interfered with Philippine rights. China rejected this ruling, despite being a signatory to the treaty that established the tribunal.

How have the Philippines' ties with the US changed in recent years?

Since the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022, the Philippines has strengthened its military ties with the US, revising the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and allowing the US access to more military bases in the Philippines. The two countries also held their largest joint military exercise in history in 2023.

What role has India's External Affairs Minister played in this dispute?

India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, visited the Philippines and expressed India's support for the Philippines' sovereignty, a stance that China rejected.

What were some of the key actions taken by former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte regarding China and the US?

Rodrigo Duterte initially signaled a shift away from the US towards China and Russia during his presidency, but later issued warnings to China, particularly regarding their actions around the Philippines' largest outpost in the South China Sea.

What is China's 'gray zone' and hybrid warfare in the context of the South China Sea?

China's 'gray zone' and hybrid warfare refers to tactics that fall short of full-scale conflict, such as using Coast Guard and fishing vessels to assert control over disputed waters and create pressure on other nations without engaging in direct military conflict.

What impact did China's release of the 2023 standard map have on regional relations?

China's 2023 standard map included claims to the Scarborough Shoal, Spratly Islands, and other contested territories, which led to protests from countries such as India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, as they considered these areas part of their own sovereign territories.

Why did China not participate in the 2016 legal proceedings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration?

China chose not to participate in the 2016 arbitration despite being a signatory to the treaty that established the court, likely because it disagreed with the tribunal's authority over its maritime claims and refused to accept any ruling against its interests.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Rising Tensions in the South China Sea

This paragraph discusses the escalating tensions between China and the Philippines over disputed waters in the South China Sea, focusing on two key territories: Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands. It describes how these disputes have led to confrontations, such as a recent water cannon attack by the Chinese Coast Guard on Philippine personnel near the Second Thomas Shoal. It also highlights the geopolitical shifts, including the renewed ties between the Philippines and the United States under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., contrasted with the previous administration's approach under former President Rodrigo Duterte, who sought closer alignment with China and Russia.

05:01

🧭 2016 Tribunal Ruling and China's Maritime Claims

This paragraph centers around the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which dismissed China's extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea. The ruling stated there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights over the resources in the disputed waters, including the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal. Despite this ruling, China continues to assert its claims, as seen in the 2023 edition of its standard map, which includes areas claimed by neighboring countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and India. The paragraph also mentions the significance of Reed Bank, a site of conflict where a Philippine boat was sunk by a Chinese vessel.

Keywords

💡South China Sea

The South China Sea is a strategically significant region known for its rich fishing areas and potential oil and gas deposits. In the video, it serves as the main setting for the geopolitical tensions between China and the Philippines. Both nations, along with others, have competing claims over various territories within this body of water.

💡Scarborough Shoal

Scarborough Shoal is a disputed territory about 120 nautical miles from the Philippines, located within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The video highlights its importance in the escalating conflict between China and the Philippines, with China asserting control despite the Philippines' legal claim, adding to the ongoing tensions in the region.

💡Spratly Islands

The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 100 islands and reefs in the South China Sea. While the Philippines claims some parts, China claims the entire archipelago. The video emphasizes the islands' significance due to their potential natural resources and strategic location, contributing to the maritime tensions between the two countries.

💡Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea zone prescribed by international law that allows a state to have special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources. The video discusses how Scarborough Shoal falls within the Philippines' EEZ, yet China continues to contest it, challenging the Philippines' sovereignty over these waters.

💡Rodrigo Duterte

Rodrigo Duterte is the former president of the Philippines, known for his pivot towards China during his presidency, especially after announcing a 'separation' from the US in 2016. The video explains how his stance affected the Philippines' relationship with both China and the US, creating a complex geopolitical situation in the South China Sea.

💡Bongbong Marcos Jr.

Bongbong Marcos Jr. is the current president of the Philippines, under whom the country's ties with the US have strengthened. The video highlights how his administration revised the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the US, leading to joint military exercises and granting the US access to more Philippine military bases, signaling a shift in the Philippines' foreign policy.

💡2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration Ruling

The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was a landmark decision in favor of the Philippines, rejecting China's historical claims over the South China Sea, including Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands. The video references this ruling as a key point in the conflict, though China has refused to acknowledge it, continuing to assert its claims in the region.

💡Gray Zone Warfare

Gray Zone Warfare refers to a strategy that involves coercive actions that fall short of open warfare, often utilizing economic, diplomatic, or paramilitary tactics. The video mentions how China is accused of using such techniques to exert control over the South China Sea, including through the deployment of Coast Guard vessels and fishing boats to assert its territorial claims.

💡Second Thomas Shoal

Second Thomas Shoal is a disputed area within the Spratly Islands, where the Philippines has stationed military personnel. The video mentions how tensions escalated in this region after a Chinese Coast Guard water cannon attack, underscoring the ongoing military standoff and China's interference in Philippine supply routes to the shoal.

💡1951 Mutual Defense Treaty

The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines is a defense agreement that commits both nations to assist each other in the event of an armed attack. The video explains how this treaty has been revived and strengthened under Bongbong Marcos Jr., allowing for closer military cooperation between the two nations, particularly in response to China's growing presence in the South China Sea.

Highlights

Tensions between China and the Philippines have reached a new high, driven by disputes over the South China Sea.

India's external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, stated that India backs the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty.

Disputes mainly focus on two territories: the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands, both claimed by the Philippines and China.

In March 2023, the Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard of injuring its personnel with a water cannon attack near the Second Thomas Shoal.

The Spratly Islands are home to rich fishing areas and potential gas and oil deposits, adding to their strategic importance.

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was seen as aligning with China and Russia, impacting US-Philippines relations.

Current Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has strengthened ties with the US, revising a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

The Philippines granted the US access to four additional military bases, adding to five already in use, enhancing military cooperation.

In April 2023, the US and the Philippines conducted their largest joint military exercise, involving 18,000 soldiers.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, rejecting China's maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The 2016 ruling found no legal basis for China's historic claims to resources within the areas of dispute.

China ignored the legal proceedings despite being a signatory to the treaty establishing the tribunal.

Countries like India and the US refer to the 2016 ruling as evidence of China's unlawful maritime claims.

In 2023, China released a new standard map that included disputed areas, escalating tensions with the Philippines and other countries.

China's 2023 map was contested by multiple countries, including India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Transcripts

hello and welcome to the print in this

special video we explain why tensions

between China and the Philippines have

reached a new high we saw India's

external affairs minister SJ Shanker

travel to the country this week where he

said India backs the Philippines in

upholding its National sovereignity a

remark that the Chinese foreign Ministry

rejected now this comes amid Rising

tensions between China and the

Philippines over disputed Waters in the

South China Sea tensions between the two

countries have escalated over the last 2

years mainly over two disputed

territories the scabo schol and the

spratly islands now the scabo schol is

about 120 nautical miles west of the

Philippine island of Luzon and is

considered a part of the Philippines

exclusive economic zone the spratly

islands is a group of over 100 islands

and reefs and while the Philippines

claims some parts China lays claim to

the entire archipelago on 2 third March

the Philippines accused the Chinese

Coast Guard of injuring its Personnel in

a water cannon attack near the second

Thomas sh Manila summoned beijing's

Envoy over the incident which was the

second attack at the disputed sha within

a month now you must be wondering what

is the second Thomas schol it is one of

the many disputed territories in the

spratly islands that we just talked

about many of these islands and reefs in

the spratly islands are home to Rich

fishing areas and potential gas and oil

deposits but before we go any further

let's zoom out and assess the changing

geopolitical situation in the region in

the last couple of years we've seen an

escalation of tensions between the

Philippines and China in the South China

Sea marked by controversial efforts by

the Chinese Coast Guard vessels and

fishing boats in disputed Waters and

even collisions between Chinese and

Philippine vessels some analysts call

this China's way of exploiting gry Zone

and hybrid Warfare

techniques so what's happened in the

last two years for one former

Philippines president Rodrigo duterte

who was viewed as anti-us left office if

you recall in October 2016 he had

created quite a stir after announcing

his quote unquote separation from the US

during a conference in Beijing implying

that he was aligning himself with China

and Russia and though duterte attempted

to scale back his remarks it definitely

cast a sh Shadow over us Philippines

bilateral ties that said in April 2019

duterte did Issue a Stern warning to

China to lay off paga ASA referring to

the site of Philippines largest Outpost

in the South China Sea at the same time

hundreds of Chinese Coast Guard and

fishing vessels had surrounded the

island now ties with the US were

re-energized after current Philippines

president ferdinan bong bong maros Jr

took office in June

2022 under him the the two countries

revised guidelines in a 1951 Mutual

defense treaty which stated that Mutual

defense commitments would be invoked in

an armed attack on either country

anywhere in the South China Sea last

April the Philippines gave the us access

to four additional military bases which

allows the US military to store defense

equipment and supplies on those bases

this is in addition to the five existing

Philippines sites that the US had access

to bring the total number to nine

last April both countries also held

their largest military exercise in

history with nearly 18,000 soldiers from

both Nations taking part in drills and

these are just a few examples of how the

US and the Philippines have been coming

closer together in the last couple of

years since we're talking about Maritime

tensions between the Philippines and

China we also need to look at what

happened in 2016 at the permanent Court

of arbitration which is essentially an

international court that sits in the ha

Netherlands now in 2013 the Philippines

filed a casee against China at this

court accusing Beijing of excessive

Maritime claims at scabo sh and in the

spratly islands with regard to the

second Thomas sha the site of the recent

water cannon incident Philippines had

accused China of one interfering with

its rights of navigation in The Waters

at and adjacent to the sh and two

preventing the rotation and resupply of

Philippine Personnel stationed at the

Philippines also accused Beijing of

conducting dredging artificial Island

Building and construction activities at

disputed territories in spratley Islands

such as Mischief Chief and fiery cross

Chief to name a few China did not

participate in the legal proceedings

despite being a signatory to the treaty

that established this tribunal in 2016

however the tribunal decided in the

Philippines favor it found no legal

basis for China to claim historic rights

to resources within areas it laid claim

to in the South China Sea as falling

within the n-h line the court also found

that China had interfered with

Philippine petroleum exploration at Reed

bank now Reed bank is an underwater Reef

formation lying Northeast of the spratly

islands and off the Philippine island of

palavan in 2019 it was the site of a

major Clash when a Philippine fishing

boat sank after it was rammed by a

Chinese vessel there now in its judgment

the tribunal had noted that although

Chinese Navigators and fishermen had

historically made use of the islands

there was no evidence that China had

historically exercised exclusive control

over the waters or their resources while

supporting the Philippines countries

like India and the US have repeatedly

referred to this 2016 ruling as evidence

of China's quot unquote unlawful

Maritime claims just last August China

released its 202 23 edition of its

standard map which included claims to

spratly islands and scabo scha as well

as many others despite the 2016 ruling

the map included the n-h line a set of

line segments detailing China's claims

over various areas of the South China

Sea India Vietnam the Philippines

Malaysia and brune just to name a few

contested the map as it included parts

of what these countries considered a

part of their own territory this was the

same map India contested as it showed

arunachal Pradesh as part of what China

considers South Tibet as well as Akai

chin thanks so much for watching this is

P krushi for the

[Music]

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