China Coast Guard Attacks Fishing Boats in South China Sea
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Chinese Coast Guard Water Cannon Attack Damages Philippine Vessels in South China Sea
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Published December 14, 2023 (Updated December 14, 2023)
What Happened?
On December 13, 2023, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel used water cannons against Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Reef (also known as Scarborough Shoal) in the South China Sea. The incident resulted in damage to two Philippine fishing boats and minor injuries to three Filipino fishermen, according to reports from the Philippine Coast Guard and multiple news outlets.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that the Chinese Coast Guard’s actions were “perilous and irresponsible,” and violated international law. The incident occurred while the Philippine boats were engaged in legitimate fishing activities within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Incident in Detail
according to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel, identified as CCG 3301, repeatedly used water cannons against the Philippine fishing boats. The force of the water caused damage to the boats’ engines and navigation equipment. The three injured fishermen sustained minor injuries, primarily abrasions and bruises.
The Philippine vessels were reportedly conducting fishing operations approximately 1.4 nautical miles southwest of Sabina Reef when they were intercepted by the Chinese Coast Guard. The Chinese side has not yet issued a comprehensive statement regarding the incident, but initial reports suggest they claim the Philippine vessels were operating illegally within Chinese-claimed waters. This claim is disputed by the Philippines, which asserts its sovereign rights over the area based on the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
sabina Reef: A Contested Territory
Sabina Reef, known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, is a highly contested maritime feature in the South China Sea. The Philippines claims sovereignty over the shoal, citing its proximity to the Philippine archipelago and its inclusion within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).China, though, claims ancient rights over nearly the entire South China Sea, including Scarborough Shoal, based on its “nine-dash line” claim.
In 2012, a standoff between Philippine and Chinese vessels resulted in China taking control of Scarborough shoal. As than, China has maintained a constant presence at the shoal, preventing Philippine fishermen from accessing the traditional fishing grounds.The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea,but China has refused to recognize the ruling.
International Law and Reactions
The use of water cannons against fishing vessels is considered a dangerous and escalatory tactic. While not explicitly prohibited by international law, such actions can be deemed unlawful if they are excessive or endanger the safety of the vessels and their crews. The Philippine government has strongly condemned the Chinese Coast Guard’s actions and has vowed to pursue diplomatic channels to address the issue.
The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to defending the Philippines under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. The U.S. State Department