As Manila mulls launching a second high-profile arbitration case against Beijing over the South China Sea, Beijing may not sit idle this time and has “more diverse” tools to use in its response, according to a leading Chinese maritime expert.
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The Philippines is seeking another legal challenge to hold Beijing accountable regarding the disputed waterway. One option it is contemplating is suing China for the alleged extraction of giant clams and substantial ecological harm to coral reefs within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Wu Shicun, the founder of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said Beijing could take strong countermeasures to show its resolve and escalate costs for Manila in response to its initiation of legal proceedings.
“The very fact that the Philippines is pursuing a legal challenge suggests that it benefited from the first case and sees the attempt as a worthwhile endeavour,” Wu said, adding that Beijing would have “more diverse tactics” to respond.
“To counter this, China must ensure that the costs for the Philippines outweigh the gains, making its actions a futile effort,” Wu said on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference over the weekend.
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Chinese and Philippine ships clash in first incident under Beijing’s new coast guard law
Chinese and Philippine ships clash in first incident under Beijing’s new coast guard law
An effective countermeasure could involve Beijing imposing a deadline for Manila to remove the BRP Sierra Madre – a World War II-era tank landing ship intentionally stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal – Wu suggested. Should Manila fail to comply with the deadline, Beijing could assume responsibility for towing the vessel away, he added.