#PRC'sActions

[thxnews]

Philippines Prevails: Defying China's Aggression

  A Defiant Stand Against Repeated Harassment

In a resolute declaration, the United States pledged unwavering support to its Philippine ally as tensions escalated in the South China Sea. The People's Republic of China's (PRC) repeated harassment in the region has raised concerns, with the U.S. emphasizing its commitment to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines.   International Tribunal Rejects PRC's Claims The PRC's actions, deemed inconsistent with international law, have faced condemnation. The 2016 ruling by an international tribunal, binding on both the Philippines and the PRC, emphatically stated that the PRC holds no lawful territorial or maritime claim to the Second Thomas Shoal. The call for respecting high seas freedoms of navigation reverberates as the United States urges the PRC to adhere to international law.  

Mutual Defense Treaty Strengthens Resolve

Reaffirming the strength of the U.S.-Philippines alliance, the United States highlights the applicability of Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. This extends protection to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of its Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea.   Historical Agreements Cement Alliance The US-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), signed in 2014, plays a pivotal role. Allowing the U.S. military access to Philippine military bases, including those in the South China Sea, this agreement bolsters the strategic partnership between the two nations.  

The Legal Battle and International Support

Philippines Prevails in UNCLOS Arbitration In 2016, the Philippines initiated arbitral proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) against the PRC's nine-dash line claim to the South China Sea. Subsequently, in a landmark decision in 2020, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled decisively in favor of the Philippines. The PCA deemed the PRC's claim invalid and explicitly acknowledged violations of the Philippines' sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Importantly, the United States stands unwaveringly firm in its support of the PCA ruling, considering it not only "final" but also "legally binding."  

Philippines-China Tensions in Recent Years

Escalating Conflicts in the South China Sea The PRC's actions in the South China Sea have escalated tensions, creating conflict situations in recent years.   Seizure of Scarborough Shoal In 2016, the PRC seized Scarborough Shoal, a Philippine-controlled reef, amplifying territorial disputes in the region.   Militarization and Harassment Subsequent years saw the PRC engaging in militarization efforts, constructing artificial islands and military facilities on disputed reefs and shoals. The PRC's Coast Guard further intensified the situation in 2018, harassing and blocking Philippine vessels and resupply missions in the South China Sea.   Provocative Actions and Collisions The situation reached a boiling point in 2021 when the PRC's Coast Guard fired water cannons at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. In 2023, dangerous maneuvers by the PRC's Coast Guard near Philippine vessels resulted in collisions, endangering Filipino lives and escalating the risk of accidents in the South China Sea. In summary, the United States' unequivocal support for the Philippines comes at a crucial juncture, with legal rulings and historical agreements reinforcing the alliance against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the South China Sea.   Sources: THX News & US Department of State. Read the full article