Reuters-Philippines says Chinese coastguard intentionally collided with its boats
October 23, 2023 4 min 674 words
这则报道反映了南海争端中的最新紧张局势，菲律宾指责中国海警船“故意”与其补给船发生碰撞。这一事件进一步加剧了中菲关系的紧张，尽管没有人员伤亡，但事态却异常严重。菲律宾国防部长吉尔伯托·特奥多罗指责中国海警和海上民兵违反国际法，故意冲撞菲律宾的补给船和海警船，这是中国政府在西菲律宾海违法行为的严重升级。特奥多罗还感谢包括美国、日本、澳大利亚、德国、加拿大、荷兰、英国和欧盟在内的盟友国家对中国的侵略行为表示谴责。 这一事件突显了在2022年马科斯政权上台后，菲律宾寻求加强与传统盟友美国的关系，同时对中国的侵略行为提出越来越多的抗议。菲律宾政府已向中国提出了122份外交抗议，包括试图阻拦菲律宾的补给任务和在8月5日使用水炮的事件。值得注意的是，这些补给任务是为了维持一艘陈旧军舰上的少数菲律宾军人的生活，该军舰在1999年被故意搁浅在第二托马斯暗沙上，以维护菲律宾的主权要求。 这一争端突显了南海争端的长期紧张，以及中国对该地区的权益主张与国际法的冲突。对于观点犀利的新闻评论员来说，这一事件凸显了中国与周边国家的关系紧张，以及南海争端的复杂性，需要通过外交和国际法来解决，以维护地区的和平与稳定。
The Philippines on Monday accused Chinese coastguard vessels of "intentionally" colliding with its vessels on a resupply mission in a disputed part of the South China Sea, as ties deteriorated between the Southeast Asian U.S. ally and Beijing.
Both sides traded accusations after the latest incident on Sunday, which was the most serious yet in the waters around the disputed Second Thomas shoal, though no-one was harmed.
China said on Sunday that the Philippine boats "bumped dangerously" with the coastguard vessels and "Chinese fishing vessels" fishing there.
And on Monday China's embassy in Manila said it had lodged stern representations to the Philippines over its vessels "trespassing", and called on the Philippines government to stop "causing trouble and provocation" at sea and to stop smearing China's reputation with "groundless attacks".
Officials from the Philippine national security council, coastguard, foreign ministry, defence ministry and armed forces condemned the actions of the Chinese coastguard .
Siding with its ally, the United States formally expressed concern. China's foreign ministry said the U.S. statement ignored the facts.
"Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels, in blatant violation of international law, harassed and intentionally hit" Manila's supply boat and coastguard ship, Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told a news conference.
"This is a serious escalation of the illegal activities conducted by the Chinese government in the West Philippine Sea in complete disregard of any norm or convention of international law," Teodoro said after attending a security meeting called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Teodoro also acknowledged "the support of our allies and like- minded nations such as the United States, Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and European Union in condemning China’s aggression and expansionist actions."
He said the foreign ministry had summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to "condemn the reckless and illegal act of the Chinese government."
Since Marcos came to power in 2022, the Philippines has sought closer ties with its traditional ally, the United States, while lodging increasing complaints about China's aggressive behaviour.
In contrast to the more pro-China stance taken by the previous administration, Marcos' government has filed 122 diplomatic protests against China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
Those incidents included attempts to block Philippines resupply missions and use of water cannon on Aug. 5
The regular resupply missions are for a handful of Philippine troops living aboard an aging warship that was deliberately run aground on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's sovereignty claims.
The uninhabited shoal, known in Manila as Ayungin and Renai Reef in China, is within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, and is strategically located on one of the world's busiest trade routes.
Medel Aguilar, the Philippines military' spokesperson said, Sunday's incident was the first time that Chinese vessels had resorted to colliding with resupply boats.
One image from Sunday shared by the Philippine coast guard showed three of four boats involved in the resupply mission being surrounded by seven bigger Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels.
China on Sunday described the actions taken by its coastguard vessels as "professional and restrained" and said the Philippine vessels had "intruded in the waters of Renai."
But Teodoro said "China has no jurisdiction or authority or right to conduct any operations whatsoever" in the Philippines exclusive economic zone.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague concluded in 2016 that Beijing's expansive claim to the South China Sea was groundless. China maintains it does not accept any claim or action based on the ruling.