China and the Philippines have been involved in a standoff for two weeks at the Scarborough Shoal over territorial rights, raising concerns that miscalculation by either side could result in severe consequences to that region.
The shoal is composed of 200 islands filled with fishing grounds and other natural resources which are claimed by Philippine, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam. The recent dispute between Philippine and China comes as the Philippine navy was unable to arrest Chinese fishermen poaching as a result of Chinese vessels protecting the fishermen.
Fishing stocks in Chinese coastal waters are depleted, forcing Chinese fishermen out further away from Chinese territory. China claims all of South China Sea as part of its territory citing historic documents, including waters close to Philippine coastal areas.
Despite China’s warning to the Philippines not to “internationalise” territory altercations, Philippines on Thursday said that it planned to seek more US military assistance during next week’s meeting.
Scott Harold, associate political scientist with the RAND Corp said,
“The Philippines has come to the conclusion over the past couple ofyears that China is growing more determined to assert its claims.”
“As China has grown more determined to assert its claims, the Philippines has moved to rebuild its defense cooperative relationswith the United States.”
