South China Sea rivalries may be played out at disputed Mischief Reef, observers say
- Spratly Island atoll has been militarised by Beijing, but is also claimed by the Philippines and others
- Tensions between US and Chinese navies have been steadily rising in disputed waters
A disputed atoll in the South China Sea could become a focal point for the rising military tensions between China and the United States in the region, observers have said.
Mischief Reef, in the Spratly Islands, is claimed by Beijing, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, although in recent years, Beijing has reinforced its grip on the territory by building a large man-made island, complete with an airfield and landing strip, around it.
Located to the west of the Philippine island of Palawan, the reef lies within the Southeast Asian nation’s exclusive economic zone, but is geographically important to Beijing as it provides a vantage point from which to monitor US military activity in and around the Philippine archipelago.
“It’s likely that the US will increase the frequency of its patrols [by both ships and aircraft] near Mischief Reef under the code of conduct for the South China Sea, which upholds freedom of navigation rights,” a source close to the Chinese military said.
“Beijing is aware of the controversy surrounding Mischief Reef, but as it claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, its military response to US naval activity there will be much stronger in the future.”
The People’s Liberation Army was also keeping a close watch for any signs of US military activity at the Antonio Bautista Air Base on Palawan, which is close to the disputed reef, he said.
While the US has been keen to build up its military ties with the Philippines – the two nations signed the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2014 under former leaders Barack Obama and Benigno Aquino – moves by incumbent President Duterte Rodrigo to boost ties with Beijing have raised questions about the strength of their alliance.