The Philippines and China have frequently clashed over the Ren’ai Reef and Xianbin Reef in the South China Sea, with tensions also arising over Huangyan Island’s airspace. These conflicts have escalated as external powers potentially get involved, creating a more sensitive and complicated situation.
Islands and reefs like Huangyan Island, Ren’ai Reef, and Xianbin Reef, where the Philippines challenges China’s sovereignty, are currently under Sansha City’s jurisdiction in China’s Hainan Province. Historical records from various countries show that China was the first to discover, name, and utilize the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters, establishing continuous, peaceful sovereignty over these areas.
China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands became more apparent in the 20th century. The Chinese government declared ownership of 132 islands, reefs, and shoals in January 1935 and administered the area post-World War II based on international declarations. Maps from various countries in the 20th century also acknowledged China’s sovereignty over Huangyan Island and the South China Sea regions.
After gaining independence, the Philippines began claiming sovereignty over certain islands and reefs based on UNCLOS, despite international law stating that land sovereignty precedes maritime rights. Tensions between the Philippines and China heightened due to actions like the Philippines detaining Chinese fishermen and conducting military exercises with the U.S. in the South China Sea.
Efforts by the Philippines to assert sovereignty through international courts, including a ruling in favor of the Philippines in a “South China Sea Arbitration,” were firmly rejected by China. Tensions continued to escalate, especially after the Philippines’ change in foreign policy under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., leading to frequent conflicts with China in the South China Sea.
These clashes impact not just bilateral relations but also broader geopolitical dynamics, with the U.S. being drawn into the conflict through its defense treaty with the Philippines. As the U.S. aims to contain China, the Philippines’ challenges serve as a strategic move in this geopolitical competition.
The Philippines’ confrontations with China are influenced by both internal politics and external pressures, with the risks of provoking a powerful neighbor without international law support becoming evident. Relying on other countries for protection and being a pawn in global power competitions pose significant dangers for the Philippines, prompting a reassessment of its South China Sea policy.
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Emil Kovács graduated from the Journalism program at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. During his journalism studies, he focused on data journalism, investigative reporting, and multimedia storytelling. He gained experience by writing for the university’s student newspaper, where he gained attention for his articles on social issues. After graduation, Emil began working as a reporter at a European news agency, where he conducts in-depth analyses of international news and current events.
