On June 17, 2024, a significant maritime incident unfolded between China and the Philippines at the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The confrontation, marked by aggressive actions from the China Coast Guard, underscores Beijing’s increasingly bold attempts to assert control over disputed waters, expanding its territorial claims at the expense of its Southeast Asian neighbours.
In the early hours of June 17, a Philippine resupply ship entered waters near the Ren’ai Reef, also known as Second Thomas Shoal. The Chinese Coast Guard responded by taking “control measures,” accusing the Philippine vessel of illegal entry. Despite repeated warnings from China, the Philippine ship proceeded with its mission, leading to a confrontation.
The Philippines reported that the Chinese Coast Guard personnel, armed with knives and spears, boarded their resupply vessels. According to Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, the Filipino soldiers were unarmed and fought with their bare hands to resist the Chinese aggression. “The Chinese Coast Guard personnel had bladed weapons and our personnel fought with bare hands,” General Brawner stated, adding that “we were outnumbered and their weapons were unexpected but our personnel fought with everything that they had”.
The Philippine military shared videos and photos of the encounter, showing Chinese personnel wielding axes and knives as they boarded the Philippine ships. These images have sparked outrage and condemnation, with the Philippines accusing China of piracy and aggressive territorial expansion. “Only pirates do this,” Brawner remarked, “Only pirates board, steal, and destroy ships, equipment, and belongings”.
China’s actions at Second Thomas Shoal are part of a broader strategy to assert dominance over the South China Sea, a region rich in natural resources and strategically significant for international maritime trade. By militarizing artificial islands and engaging in aggressive tactics against neighbouring countries, China aims to strengthen its territorial claims under the so-called “nine-dash line”—a demarcation line that has been internationally disputed and ruled as having “no legal basis” by a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling.
The South China Sea is not the only area where China is flexing its military muscles. Beijing’s claim over Taiwan, described as a breakaway province, has led to increasing tensions with the island nation, which sees itself as a sovereign state. The aggressive posture towards Taiwan, combined with confrontations in the South China Sea, highlights China’s broader objective of regional hegemony.
China’s disputes extend to other Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, each of which has overlapping claims in the South China Sea. The persistent presence of Chinese maritime militia and coast guard vessels in these contested waters has led to numerous standoffs, elevating the risk of military conflict. “China urges the Philippines to stop its infringement and provocation at once,” stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, as Beijing accused the Philippines of sending construction materials and even weapons to the rusting ship at Second Thomas Shoal.
The international community, particularly the United States, has voiced strong opposition to China’s actions. The US, under its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines, has reiterated its commitment to defend its ally against external aggression. “The United States stands with the Philippines in the face of this aggressive behaviour by China,” stated a US State Department spokesperson, emphasizing the treaty obligations between the two nations.
Japan has also shown support for the Philippines by selling military equipment to bolster its maritime security capabilities. This support underscores the growing regional opposition to China’s expansionist policies. “Japan is committed to supporting our Southeast Asian partners in maintaining regional stability and security,” said a Japanese defence official.
The Philippines, meanwhile, has continued its resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, undeterred by Chinese aggression. This resilience highlights Manila’s determination to uphold its territorial rights and sovereignty despite the overwhelming pressure from Beijing. The Philippine Foreign Ministry condemned China’s “illegal and aggressive” behaviour, noting that efforts were being made “to rebuild a conducive environment for dialogue and consultation with China on the South China Sea” which were rejected by Beijing. No clarification statement has been made from the Communist party apart from accusing Philippine of illegal invasion which have been proven false since.
