Philippines establishes South China Sea outpost to resist China
Philippine President Marcos Jr. Opens New Coast Guard Outpost in South China Sea
The administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a bold step in the ongoing territorial dispute with China by opening a new coast guard outpost station in the South China Sea. This move aims to strengthen Manila’s position and send a clear message to China.
“Its ability to collect real-time data, along with its coastal radars that can track the presence of vessels near the island, will certainly have an impact on the behavior of our Chinese neighbor,” said Philippine national security adviser Eduardo Ano. “This facility is poised to be a game-changer in promoting transparency and influencing [China’s] behavior to abide by international laws and support the rules-based order.”
Expulsion of George Santos from House of Representatives
In response to a series of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, the coast guard station was opened under the supervision of Eduardo Ano. These incidents have heightened tensions in the region, as China continues to assert its sovereignty over the disputed waters, disregarding the claims of other states.
While the Philippines has firmly opposed China’s claims, the communist regime has indicated that it will use its coast guard to assert dominance over smaller claimants.
“The coast guard must effectively safeguard our rights, enforce our laws, and resolutely defend our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” stated Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping. “It is necessary to pragmatically carry out foreign exchanges and cooperation in maritime law enforcement and actively participate in international and regional maritime governance.”
However, cooperation between the two nations has been challenging due to China’s attempts to control one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. This power play has significant implications for China’s economic and military influence in the region.
Incidents such as collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels and the alleged use of a laser by a Chinese coast guard vessel have further strained relations.
“Marcos is taking an approach of what they’re calling radical transparency [to say] ‘this is what China’s doing to harass Philippine coast guard and sailors and fishermen,’” said Brian Harding, an expert on Southeast Asia. “And I think the Philippine national security agencies are rightly proud of how they’ve shifted the strategic messaging on this topic.”
During his visit to Pag-asa Island, where the new coast guard station is located, Eduardo Ano emphasized the importance of standing up against China’s actions.
“Actually, those are no longer gray-zone tactics; it’s pure bullying, and it’s purely illegal,” he stated. “That’s no longer acceptable under international law.”
These incidents prompted the Biden administration to remind Beijing of the mutual defense treaty between the United States and the Philippines. This was followed by a joint patrol of U.S. and Philippine naval forces. Additionally, the opening of the Pag-asa Island station coincided with the first-ever round of “joint service” talks between military officials from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the U.S., focusing on upholding the Rules-Based International Order.
“The Philippines is pursuing its national interests and protecting its sovereignty in a multifaceted and highly disciplined way under this Marcos administration,” Harding explained. “They’ve been very aggressive with this campaign of radical transparency about what China’s doing in the information space, and they’re trying to do what they can in terms of the military balance.”
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What role does the new coast guard outpost station play in addressing maritime incidents and ensuring adherence to international laws and the rules-based order in the South China Sea?
Lisions between Chinese and Philippine fishing vessels and the presence of Chinese maritime militia ships have exacerbated tensions in the South China Sea. The opening of the new coast guard outpost station by the Philippines is a significant move to counter China’s assertiveness in the disputed waters.
The outpost station, equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as real-time data collection and coastal radars, will enable the Philippines to monitor and track the presence of vessels near the station. This will give Manila a stronger position in addressing maritime incidents and ensuring the adherence to international laws and the rules-based order.
The decision to open the coast guard outpost station comes after the expulsion of George Santos from the House of Representatives. Santos was accused of colluding with Chinese entities and compromising national security. This move reflects the Philippine government’s determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and protect its maritime rights and interests from foreign interference.
China has not been receptive to the Philippine’s opposition to its claims in the South China Sea. Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the role of the Chinese coast guard in asserting dominance and protecting China’s territorial sovereignty. However, these actions have raised concerns among smaller claimant states and have led to tensions in the region.
The Philippines, along with other countries in the region, relies heavily on the South China Sea for trade and economic activities. China’s attempts to control the shipping lanes have significant implications for the economies and military balance of power in the region. The Philippines’ decision to open the coast guard outpost station is a response to these challenges and a reaffirmation of its commitment to safeguarding its rights and interests in the South China Sea.
Overall, the opening of the new coast guard outpost station by Philippine President Marcos Jr. signals a stronger stance against China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. The station will serve as a crucial tool in promoting transparency, influencing China’s behavior, and upholding the rules-based order in the region. It is a clear message to China that the Philippines will not back down in defending its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
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