The Philippines, China and the West Philippine Sea

A cartoon for Pitik Bulag. #WPSAtinIto

The Philippines is trying to assert its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea over China.

In August 2023, China released a map that claimed territories of other countries sharing the South China Sea. The Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia rejected Beijing's "10-dash line" map, leaving Manila little diplomatic room to improve ties with China. This was followed by an incident in October, in which the Philippines accused China of intentionally colliding with its vessels headed to a resupply mission around the Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal.

The Philippines and China are also having disputes about the Scarborough Shoal, which is also inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

China has been shooting water cannons and deliberately ramming Filipino vessels.

The Philippines has been inviting journalists to its ships to make the international community know of Chinese maritime aggression.

"Philippine-China row deepens in South China Sea: 5 things to know" by Ramon Royandoyan for Nikkei Asia
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Se…

"China’s South Sea Aggression Is Backfiring. Beijing is ramping up efforts to cow neighbors such as the Philippines in the South China Sea but is getting nowhere fast." by Keith Johnson for Foreign Policy
https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/06/06/south-china-sea-philippines-fishin…

"Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea" by the Council for Foreign Relations
https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disput…

"Filipino fisherfolk assert rights on West PH Sea over China’s ‘detention orders’" by Dominic Gutoman for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2024/05/20/filipino-fisherfolk-assert-rights-o…

"Scientists, economists, lawyers want to put price on damage in West Philippine Sea" by Iya Gozum for Rappler
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/scientists-economists-lawyers-want-…

"China tried to block evacuation of sick Filipino personnel in West Philippine Sea – PCG" by Bea Cupin for Rappler
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/coast-guard-says-china-harassed-med…

"NSC: Philippines compiling evidence on new case vs China" by Michael Delizo for ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/nsc-philippines-compiling-evide…

"PH fishers say no to China’s fishing ban in West Philippine Sea" by Jonas Alpasan for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2022/06/07/ph-fishers-say-no-to-chinas-fishing…