China, Philippines continue to clash in South China Sea, with new flashpoint emerging

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Frictions in the South China Sea have shown no sign of easing, raising concerns that tensions will continue to bedevil one of the world’s busiest maritime waterways.

This week, just as China celebrated its 75th National Day, the People’s Liberation Army conducted a naval drill in the South China Sea to demonstrate Beijing’s resolve “in safeguarding peace and stability,” according to its Southern Theatre Command.

A week earlier, China carried out joint naval and air exercises around the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal as forces from the United States and the Philippine took part in five-way military manoeuvres within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

On Wednesday, Vietnam’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Chinese law enforcers beat fishermen and took away equipment from a boat operating near Hoang Sa, Vietnam’s name for the Paracel Islands.

To bolster its diplomatic leverage in addressing maritime tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines is campaigning for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo stating the rule of law “must prevail amid the current global challenges”.