Opinion | South China Sea: US-China rivalry leaves Whitsun Reef and the Philippines in deep and dangerous waters

Far more important than who is right in the contretemps between China and the Philippines over Chinese boats massing at Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea, is what the contest reveals about the political forces at work. What should have been a storm in a teacup has became dangerous because of the US-China struggle for dominance in the region.

The United States is trying to contain China politically and militarily, and seeks allies to do so. China views this as “encirclement”. The Philippines figures prominently in the US strategy as an ally on the front line of soft power.

If that happens, said Greg Poling of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the “No 1 goal of the alliance should be to get [the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement] moving, so US and Philippine forces can operate jointly from Philippine bases” against China.

Based on information by US analysts, the Philippines declared that the Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef were crewed by “maritime militia” intent on demonstrating China’s illegal historic claim. “The continued presence of Chinese maritime militias in the area reveals their intent to further occupy features in the West Philippine Sea,” said Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, while Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr promised to file daily diplomatic protests.