What Philippine use of legal weapons could mean for South China Sea dispute with Beijing
- Manila looks likely to pass a law outlining its claims to the disputed waters in the hope of strengthening its hand following a series of clashes
- Chinese observers say the move risks further escalating tensions, but could also herald a fresh attempt to take the matter to the international courts
Last month senators unanimously approved the Philippine Maritime Zones Bill, which defines the parts of the sea that fall under the country’s jurisdiction and the legal powers that Manila can exercise there, prompting a swift backlash from China.
Days later, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, without naming any specific countries, said Beijing rejects any “distortion” of maritime law and will fight back against “deliberate infringements” in the waterway.
There have already been a series of clashes between the two countries’ coastguards, including collisions between ships and the Chinese use of water cannon, centred on attempts to bring supplies to troops stationed on the Philippine-held Second Thomas Shoal.
These incidents mean that the vital waterway – which carries one-third of global shipping and contains vast mineral, oil and gas resources – is widely seen as a potentially explosive global hotspot.
But Chinese analysts say that if the act is signed into law, it is likely to further narrow the negotiating room between the two neighbours while jeopardising ongoing talks between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on a code of conduct for the waterway, where there are multiple overlapping claims.