Philippines Expresses Alarm as 135 Chinese Boats Swarm Reef Off Its Coast

In a significant development, the Philippines voiced deep concern on Sunday as more than 135 Chinese vessels were reported to be “swarming” Whitsun Reef, alternatively known as Julian Felipe Reef. This strategic reef is situated around 320 kilometers west of Palawan Island, forming a boomerang shape. The Chinese vessels, identified as “Chinese maritime militia vessels” (CMM), were reportedly “dispersed and scattered” within the reef.

Despite Whitsun Reef being over 1,000 kilometers away from Hainan island, the nearest major Chinese landmass, the escalating presence of these vessels has sparked alarm. The Philippines initially reported 111 CMM vessels on November 13, but this number surged to “more than 135” following the deployment of two patrol boats by the Philippines Coast Guard on Saturday.

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Worryingly, the Manila Coast Guard highlighted that there was no response from the Chinese vessels to radio challenges issued by the Philippines Coast Guard. The situation is now described as an “alarming development,” indicating a potential escalation in regional tensions.

The backdrop to this incident is the longstanding territorial dispute over the South China Sea. Beijing asserts expansive claims over the majority of the South China Sea, including waters and islands near its neighboring countries. Notably, China has disregarded an international tribunal’s decision that rejected the legal basis of its claims.

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China has consistently reinforced its stance through the deployment of vessels for patrolling and the construction of artificial islands and military installations in the disputed waters. This has raised concerns among neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, all of whom have asserted their claims over various islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The contested region is believed to hold substantial petroleum reserves beneath its waters, adding an economic dimension to the geopolitical complexities in the area. The recent surge in Chinese vessels near Whitsun Reef underscores the ongoing challenges in navigating these disputed waters and maintaining regional stability.