Philippines accuses China of pressuring it to surrender South China Sea claims

The Philippines has accused China of intensifying pressure to force it to relinquish its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, according to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.

This statement came after Teodoro’s meeting with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles in Canberra, which underscored growing security cooperation between the two nations.

Teodoro expressed that the Philippines has increasingly faced demands from Beijing to concede control over contested waters, describing the nation as a "victim of Chinese aggression." The Philippine-Australian security partnership has strengthened since the two countries signed a strategic agreement in September 2023. The countries have since conducted joint sea and air patrols in the region and held their first-ever war games in Australia earlier this year.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that China had taken necessary actions to protect its interests after the Philippines "infringed first" in the region. Lin emphasized that tensions would ease if the Philippines refrained from actions deemed provocative by Beijing, reported Reuters.

The ongoing dispute centers around the South China Sea, where both countries claim sovereignty over areas, including the Scarborough Shoal, which remains one of the most contentious spots in the region.

Over the weekend, China announced it had established new baselines around the shoal, a move seen as a response to the Philippines' approval of laws reinforcing its maritime claims. Manila has condemned this action, labeling it a violation of its sovereignty and a continuation of China's illegal seizure of the shoal in 2012.

China has significantly increased its maritime presence in the South China Sea, with state media reporting the deployment of larger, more capable vessels for long-range patrols and enforcement. These new patrols are designed to enforce Chinese claims more effectively, following the Philippines' recent legislative actions aimed at safeguarding its rights in the area.

Since China's takeover of the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, the Philippines has accused China of deploying coastguard vessels and maritime militias to assert control, actions Manila describes as illegal. Despite the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which dismissed China’s territorial claims, Beijing continues to assert its dominance over the majority of the South China Sea - a critical waterway for global trade.

Teodoro reiterated that China’s actions violate international law, noting that none of China’s actions have received international support. He emphasized that defense partnerships with countries like Australia are crucial for countering Chinese encroachments. The Philippines is also investing significantly in its military capabilities, with plans to spend $33 billion on new defense equipment, including advanced fighter jets and mid-range missiles.

Australia has pledged to further strengthen ties with the Philippines, with Marles announcing plans to send an engineering assessment team to the country in 2025 to assist with its defense industry development.