China has lengthy used its coast guard to press its claims within the South China Sea.
And whereas the Chinese language navy had been deployed close to the Scarborough Shoal up to now, one analyst informed AFP Wednesday’s motion confirmed they had been “changing into extra aggressive and forceful”.
“It is meant to intimidate,” Jay Batongbacal, director of the Manila-based Institute for Maritime Affairs and Legislation of the Sea, mentioned.
“It is undoubtedly meant to ship a message, a present of power,” he added.
“AGGRAVATE TENSIONS”
There was a sequence of escalating confrontations between Chinese language and Philippine vessels within the South China Sea in latest months, together with round a warship grounded for years by Manila on the contested Second Thomas Shoal within the Spratly Islands.
Probably the most critical incidents passed off in June, when Chinese language sailors brandishing weapons including knives and an axe boarded Philippine naval vessels close to the strategic reef.
The Philippine navy mentioned certainly one of its sailors misplaced a thumb within the confrontation by which Beijing’s coast guard additionally confiscated or destroyed Philippine tools together with weapons.
Beijing blamed the escalation on Manila and maintains its actions to guard its claims are authorized and proportional.
