South China Sea Conflict: This afternoon, the Philippine Coast Guard released a new video in which a plane near the Subi and Mischief reefs got attacked. The Coast Guard has blamed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for the attack, as relations between the neighbouring countries remain strained.
South China Sea Conflict: What Happened Near Subi, Mischief Reefs?
A new confrontation has happened in the Asia Pacific region’s South China Sea after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that Chinese forces launched several flares at an unarmed Philippine aircraft flying near Subi Reef and Mischief Reef. Manila called the incident dangerous and intentional, stating that the aircraft was conducting a maritime patrol when the flares were fired. Both Subi and Mischief reefs are currently governed by China but the Philippines has tried to claim sovereignty over them in the past.
South China Sea Conflict: Philippine Coast Guard’s New Claim
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has stated that the aircraft was carrying out a maritime domain-awareness mission when it came across some Chinese forces in the vicinity of the two reefs. Subsequently, the PLA allegedly started firing flares at the aircraft.
Philippine officials stated that the deployment of flares endangered the aircraft and its crew, leading to more worries about increasingly close encounters between Chinese and Philippine forces in the disputed waters. Spokesperson Jay Tarriela described the flare attack as “a clear and deliberate act of bullying”. The clip released by the PPG features a lighthouse that China reportedlt built on Subi Reef in 2016, along with airfields, aircraft hangars, radar installations, harbours and other infrastructural facilities.
China’s Response to the Accusation
The Chinese authorities have not yet responded to the PPG’s shocking accusation yet. But Beijing has previously stated that it has sovereign rights over the South China Sea, despite disputes.
Importance of Subi Reef
Subi Reef is among China’s key outposts in the Spratly Islands, and it is claimed by multiple other countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam. The reef has been turned into a major Chinese military and logistical installation, complete with infrastructure that’s capable of supporting aircrafts.
South China Sea Conflict: Will Tensions Worsen Between China & the Philippines?
The latest incident could lead to heightened tensions between China and the Philippines. The two countries have faced multiple tense encounters in the South China Sea during recent months. It also reflect how relations between the neighbours who share a lot of history are declining and giving way to mutual animosity.
