The Philippines is sending a new coastguard vessel to strengthen its hold over a disputed reef in the South China Sea, according to Chinese monitors who predicted a “forceful response” from Beijing.
The BRP Melchora Aquino is currently en route to the Sabina Shoal and is expected to arrive on Friday, according to the Beijing-based South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI).
09:23
History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing
History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing
The uninhabited reef in the Spratly Islands has been the scene of a stand-off between the two sides since April, when one of the most advanced Philippine coastguard ships, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, arrived at the site.
Manila said the ship had been sent there after receiving reports that China was trying to carry out land reclamation works.
Beijing rejected the accusation and said the Philippines was trying to deliver building materials to establish a permanent outpost there – something that was in turn denied.
The SCSPI said the Melchora Aquino was likely to swap places with the Teresa Magbanua to maintain Philippine control over the reef.
“[The latest deployment] will only deepen China’s suspicion that the Philippines wants to permanently occupy the Sabina Shoal,” said Hu Bo, the SCSPI director. “So China is likely to take resolute action.”
Hu added: “China didn’t know the intention of the ship [Teresa Magbanua] when it entered the area last time… this time they will not easily let go of the BRP Melchora Aquino.”
The two Kunigami-class ships were built in Japan and are among the most advanced and expensive Philippine coastguard vessels.
China has sent its own ships to the reef, including the world’s largest coastguard vessel, the 12,000-tonne CCG-5901, to keep watch over the Philippine ship, which has reportedly carried out flag-raising ceremonies and land and water surveys.
Sabina Shoal, known as Xianbin Reef in China and Escoda Shoal in the Philippines, falls within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile (370km) exclusive economic zone but is also claimed by China.
The Second Thomas Shoal, the main flashpoint between the two sides in recent months, also falls within this area and Beijing is worried the situation there will be repeated at Sabina Shoal.
02:34
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
The Philippines grounded a Second World War landing craft at the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 and has maintained a military presence ever since.
Attempts to resupply the troops stationed there have led to a series of clashes between the two sides in recent months, including collisions between ships
The most serious incident happened in June when the Chinese side intercepted a Philippine naval vessel, resulting in injuries to eight Philippine sailors, including one who lost a thumb.
