(Bloomberg) — This week, the Philippines and China experienced their third confrontation in the South China Sea, increasing tensions in the area as the US maintains a strong presence in disputed waters.
On Friday, the China Coast Guard enforced “control measures” against several Philippine vessels conducting what they called “illegal activities” near Scarborough Shoal. However, they did not provide specific details about these measures.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that the China Coast Guard used water cannons against its vessels, marking the second consecutive day of conflict at Scarborough Shoal. They condemned the actions of the China Coast Guard as dangerous and unprofessional.
On Thursday, officials in Manila reported that a China Coast Guard vessel fired water cannons at a Filipino ship for over two minutes in the disputed area.
As tensions rose, the US increased its activity and statements in the region, coinciding with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Manila for a summit. The US has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.
After meeting with Rubio, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spoke with President Donald Trump on Thursday night, receiving assurance that Manila's concerns would be discussed during an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in September.
On the same day, the US Seventh Fleet shared a photo on social media showing the George Washington Carrier Strike Group passing through the Luzon Strait to conduct operations in the South China Sea.
These incidents at Scarborough Shoal followed a meeting on Wednesday between China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, where both sides exchanged strong protests — their first official discussions since 2024. Wang cautioned that bilateral relations are “at a crossroads,” urging the Philippines to make wise choices.
Earlier this week, tensions escalated when the Philippines accused China Coast Guard personnel of aggressively attacking and injuring a Navy serviceman with a wooden baton at Second Thomas Shoal.
Rubio stated on Thursday that a US Coast Guard vessel assisted the Philippines during this incident, acting as a buffer and aiding in the retrieval of the injured sailor.
“We are already here. We’re present. We have a role, and we won’t abandon our allies,” he emphasized, noting that improving the US-China relationship won’t come at the expense of its allies and partners.
Read Also: Satellite Images Show Suspected Structure at Disputed South China Sea Atoll, But Later Gone
China assumed effective control of Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island, and its nearby waters after a standoff with the Philippines in 2012. Beijing has constructed artificial islands and buildings in disputed waters to reinforce its broad claims over the South China Sea, which an international tribunal has rejected in a ruling from 2016.