Spratly Islands: China's conflict with the Philippines

According to the AMTI portal (Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative) and Defence24, the conflict over Thomas' Second Lavender, which is part of the Spratly Islands, between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, raises increasing concern among the international community.

The Philippines-China conflict over the Thomas Lavender: tensions in the Spratly Islands and the role of the BRP vessel Sierra Madre

This conflict, which takes place in the Spratly Island chain, covers both legal issues related to sovereignty and military activities related to the grounded Philippine BRP vessel Sierra Madre, serving as a military station on the Ayungin jury.

There have recently been many dangerous clashes between the Philippines and China in the waters around the Thomas Second Lavender, also known as the Ayungin River, which is part of the Spratly Islands archipelago. It is a marine facility found up in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, less than 200 nautical miles from the Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1000 nautical miles from the Chinese island of Hainan. Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II unit, was deliberately stranded on a shallow surface in 1999 to strengthen Philippines' claims to this area. Manila now treats him as a military facility in her waters.

Filipino ships regularly supply supplies to marines stationed on board the BRP Sierra Madre. According to Defence24, incidents related to the blocking of supplies on the Ayungin Lavender are not news, however, in August 2023 there was a serious incident when Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against Filipino supply units, preventing them from supplying food, water and other supplies to the ship. The Philippines strongly condemned China's actions, calling them "excessive and offensive", resulting in an escalation of tensions between the two countries.

China's objection to South China Sea incidents

In January of that year, China expressed strong opposition to joint maritime patrols by Philippines and the United States in the South China Sea. These patrols included, among others, USS aircraft carriers Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln, aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and ensuring stability in the region. Chinese state media such as the Global Times strongly criticized these actions, calling them provocative and stressing the readiness of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to defend China's national interests.

These maneuvers, although aimed at showing unity between allies and strengthening maritime security, met with a strong Beijing reaction that did not recognise the ruling of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration overturning Chinese territorial claims in the region. This situation highlights the increasing tensions in the South China Sea, which remains one of the most important points of inflammation in international relations.

In March 2024 a serious incident occurred when Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against the Philippine supply ship Unaziah May 4trying to supply supplies to the BRP vessel Sierra Madre. The attack caused serious damage to the ship and damage to four Filipino sailors, which prompted the Philippine government to immediately protest diplomaticly against China.

In addition, in June 2024 there was another clash when Chinese Coast Guard Blocked a supply unit flowing into Thomas' Second Lavender, resulting in a collision of a Filipino ship with a Chinese unit, causing damage to eight Filipino sailors.

Legal aspects of the Thomas Juror

The basic dispute between Manila and Beijing over Thomas' Second Lagoon is apparently a territorial dispute in which two opposing parties compete for sovereignty over Thomas' Lagoon, which is part of the Spratly Islands archipelago. However, when assessing this event from an international law perspective, such a territorial dispute should not take place. Under the Law Convention the seas (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Court of Arbitration ruling, Thomas' Second Law is an elevation in the tide (LTE), which means that he cannot be the subject of sovereignty. The Court also held that this bench is in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, which excludes any claim by China to this area.

Despite clear legal guidelines, China continues to seek to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea, including the Ayungin Lavender, which leads to frequent clashes with the Philippines. Beijing does not accept the Court's ruling and maintains that the seizure of the lard by the Philippines is illegal, demanding that the BRP vessel be towed Sierra Madre. Meanwhile, the Philippines announced the possibility of renovating a grounded unit to further strengthen their claims in the area.

Incidents related to the Spratly Islands, including Thomas' Second Lavender, as well as other tensions in the region between the Philippines and China, constantly escalate, also involving international allies, including the United States, who have committed to supporting the Philippines in the event of a threat. Situation in the South China Sea, being one of the most inflammatory points on the world map, requires further monitoring and appropriate action by the international community, including the media, which, through reliable information, can stop China's expansionist urges and prevent further escalation.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz