The South China Sea, a vast body of water with beautiful islands and valuable resources, has been a point of disagreement between China and its neighbors for a long time. This disagreement just took a sharp turn for the worse. Philippines’ National Security advisor Eduardo Ano called for the Chinese diplomats to be removed from their country. This is a big deal, and it’s important to understand why it happened.
Why is the Philippines So Upset? The Leaked Phone Conversation
On May 7th, the Chinese Embassy in Manila stirred controversy by sharing a recording of a phone conversation with select media outlets. The recording allegedly features callers identifying themselves as the “AFP WesCom chief” (referring to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command) and a Chinese diplomat.
The leaked phone conversation reportedly mentions a “new model” for managing the situation around the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea in which the Wescom chief agreed to give concessions to China. This shoal is a disputed territory claimed by both China and the Philippines. However, it’s important to note that the authenticity of this recording remains unverified and many in Philippines’ are saying that the call might be a deepfake audio recording.
Philippines’ National Security Advisor, Mr. Eduardo Ano blasted the Chinese embassy’s actions of releasing transcripts and recordings of the alleged phone conversation on May 10. It “should not be allowed to pass unsanctioned or without serious penalty,” he said in a statement. He also accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of carrying out “repeated acts of spreading ‘disinformation’ to sow discord, division and disunity” in Philippines.
In response to Ano’s statement, Chinese military spokesperson, Lin Gian said in a press conference, “We ask the Philippines to ensure that Chinese diplomats can carry out their duty normally, and to stop provocations and infringements. The Philippines needs to quit denying the facts and must not make reckless moves that will only backfire on the Philippines itself.”
What could go wrong with expulsion?
If it actually happens, the expulsion of Chinese diplomats will be a serious diplomatic blow. It could seriously damage the relationship between the Philippines and China. Communication might become more difficult, and cooperation on other issues could suffer. China and the Philippines are trading partners. If relations worsen, trade deals could be jeopardized, and businesses in both countries might be affected. The South China Sea dispute already involves several countries. This situation could raise tensions in the entire region, potentially leading to military exercises or other shows of force.
What is the South China Sea Dispute?
On May 11, Philippines announced they sent ships to Sabina shoal, another part of the South China Sea that’s in dispute. They claim China is building an artificial island there, and they’re sending their ships to keep an eye on it. The Philippine president’s office said the coast guard sent one ship specifically to watch China’s activities, and they have two other ships taking turns patrolling the area.
The recent situation with the Philippines and China is just the latest chapter in a long-running story. Several countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, all have claims to islands and territories in the South China Sea. These claims often overlap, leading to disagreements about who owns what. The South China Sea is believed to be rich in natural resources, including oil and gas. This makes the area even more valuable to the countries involved.
The South China Sea is also a vital shipping lane for global trade. Whoever controls these waters has a significant strategic advantage. China has taken a particularly assertive approach to claiming the South China Sea. They’ve built artificial islands on disputed reefs and ramped up their military presence in the area. This has understandably ruffled feathers among their neighbors, including the Philippines.
In March 2024, tensions over the disputed Second Thomas Shoal reef between China and Philippines escalated to a next level when the Philippine military accused China’s Coast Guard of deploying water cannons against a Philippine supply boat sent to resupply BRP Sierra Madre, a ship which is grounded on the shoal since 1999. With the latest phone-call controversy, the tensions have skyrocketed between the both countries.
On May 19, there were confrontations between vessels from the Philippines and China in the contested South China Sea. Chinese coast guard ships obstructed Philippine coast guard and supply vessels near the Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in minor collisions due to unsafe maneuvers by the Chinese ships. Furthermore, on May 20, the Philippines accused Chinese fishermen of causing extensive damage to giant clam habitats in a disputed shoal and called for an international investigation. There was also a controversy related to a leaked diplomatic call by the Chinese embassy in Philippines,These incidents have heightened tensions in the area.
