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South China Sea: Philippines logs record 203 Chinese vessels near its shores in 1 week
The unprecedented surge follows a series of stand-offs and reclamation concerns at Sabina Shoal, the latest South China Sea flashpoint
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The Philippines logged a record 203 Chinese maritime militia vessels and warships operating within waters it claims as its own between August 27 and September 2 – an unprecedented surge that intensifies concerns centred around Sabina Shoal, a newly emerged flashpoint in the ongoing South China Sea dispute.
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Analysts describe the increased Chinese maritime activity, which was logged by the Philippine Navy in the country’s exclusive economic zone, as “a critical development”, consistent with Beijing’s long-standing strategy of “swarming” in contested waters.
The surge follows a series of confrontations at Sabina Shoal, where the Philippine coastguard has stationed the BRP Teresa Magbanua in response to reports of Chinese reclamation efforts in the area.
“China has been utilising its large force” to intimidate and dominate, said Don McLain Gill, geopolitical analyst and lecturer at De La Salle University’s department of international studies in Manila. “Particularly for the purpose of swarming.”
The number of Chinese vessels was “similar to what we’ve seen on other occasions”, said Matteo Piasentini, an analyst with the Italian think tank Geopolitica – reflecting patterns observed during the Balikatan joint military exercises conducted with US forces in April.
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