New developments in the South China Sea

The group of ships, comprising two destroyers, one frigate, and one tanker, appeared on June 19 in the Balabac Strait, off the coast of Palawan Island in the Philippines. As of yesterday, Beijing had not yet responded to this information.

Although the group of ships appeared on a shipping lane used by international vessels, this development attracted attention from observers because it is near Balabac town in Palawan, one of the four areas added to the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed by the US and the Philippines in 2023. Under the EDCA, the number of Philippine military bases accessible to the US has increased from five to nine.

Chinese naval vessels during a presence in the South China Sea in March.

Security analyst Chester Cabalza, president of the Organization for International Security and Development Cooperation (based in Manila, Philippines), believes the presence of Chinese naval vessels in the Balabac Strait means Beijing is preparing for any potential maritime confrontation with Manila and its allies.

Cabalza said that by deploying the ships, China wanted to send a message and at the same time test the level of solidarity between the Philippines and its allies, especially the United States. "Beijing wants to see how Manila and Washington will apply the mutual defense treaty in practice," according to the expert.

In a related development, the Philippines has yet to consider activating its mutual defense treaty with the U.S. after Manila accused Beijing of interfering with a resupply mission for troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal this week. Second Thomas Shoal is a feature in the Spratly Islands, which is under Vietnamese sovereignty but illegally occupied by the Philippines.

Reuters reported on June 21st that Lucas Bersamin, chairman of the Philippine National Maritime Council, said Manila believes the encounter was likely "a misunderstanding or an accident." "We have not classified the incident as an armed attack," Bersamin said.

On the same day, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo (Japan) stated that Japan is not a party to the South China Sea dispute and therefore has no right to interfere in matters between Manila and Beijing there, according to Reuters. Earlier, the Japanese Foreign Ministry expressed concern about the encounter between Philippine and Chinese ships near Second Thomas Shoal.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/them-dien-bien-moi-tai-bien-dong-185240622212054718.htm