The Philippines has suspended a scientific survey in the highly contested South China Sea, citing "dangerous" harassment by Chinese naval and coast guard forces. The incident unfolded near Thitu Island, part of the disputed Spratlys chain, where three Chinese coast guard vessels and four smaller boats executed "aggressive manoeuvres" against two Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships. This alarming confrontation underscores the escalating tension in a region where China asserts nearly full territorial claims, overshadowing rival claims from nations like the Philippines.
The Filipino vessels were on a mission to transport scientists for a "marine scientific survey and sand sampling" at a sandbar off Thitu Island. However, the operation was abruptly halted when a Chinese navy helicopter hovered perilously close to the Philippine fisheries agency's inflatable boats. Manila's coast guard described the helicopter's action as "creating hazardous conditions due to the propeller wash". In light of these developments, the Philippine Coast Guard announced the regrettable suspension of their survey operations, which prevented the collection of crucial sand samples from the unoccupied sandbars.
Thitu Island lies approximately 430 kilometers from the primary Philippine island of Palawan and over 900 kilometers from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan Island. Despite these confrontations, no accidents were reported. The Philippine government remains firm in its stance as it had previously grounded a vessel on the reef to assert sovereignty over the area.
Chinese forces currently garrison the Subi Reef near Thitu, adding to existing tensions. The same day as the survey incident, Philippine forces successfully resupplied and rotated troops stationed on a derelict navy vessel grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratlys without encountering any issues. Meanwhile, the situation near Luzon has also drawn attention, with Chinese coast guard ships patrolling closer to the main Filipino island—an act Manila perceives as an "intimidation tactic" by Beijing to deter Filipino fishing activities.
China has categorically rejected allegations of aggression. A spokesperson from China's foreign ministry stated that their patrols were conducted "in accordance with the law", dismissing accusations of unlawful behavior.
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