At Philippines’ South China Sea forum, deep divisions surface in clash of narratives

As the ramming of ships and use of water cannons dominated discussions, questions arose about the legality of China’s actions

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A Chinese coastguard ship collides with a Philippine vessel near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea in August. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:00am, 19 Nov 2024Updated: 8:04am, 19 Nov 2024

A recent landmark dialogue on the South China Sea has underscored the lingering ideological divisions over the disputed waterway, with officials from Manila condemning Beijing’s provocative tactics and Chinese academics defending them on sovereignty grounds.

Held from November 6 to 8 in Manila, the dialogue was the first such event in the Philippines involving experts from both claimant states.

Among them, Hu Bo, director of the Centre for Maritime Strategy Studies at Peking University’s Institute of Ocean Research, said Beijing had “exhausted” all diplomatic means to persuade Manila to maintain the status quo amid the dispute.

“I think Beijing has no choice but to respond, which means use all kinds of tools, including water cannons and other law enforcement activities,” Hu said on November 8.

He was referring to clashes in August near Sabina Shoal, where vessels from the Chinese and Philippine coastguards traded blame over several instances of ramming.

Hu was replying to a question posed by retired Philippine military chief Manuel Bautista, who had formed the first military task force for the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s name for the parts of the South China Sea that it claims.