China-Philippines confrontation in South China Sea heats up, Chinese ships increase to over 100 in September

Chinese and Philippine ships often clash in disputed waters of the South China Sea, with some clashes leading to collisions, resulting in injuries and damage to ships. The Philippines stated on the 8th that China’s ships in the South China Sea significantly increased in September in order to shake the Philippines’ determination to defend its territory.

According to the "AFP" report, an international arbitration ruling determined that China's claims to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea lacked legal basis, but China still claimed sovereignty over the strategic waterway. Philippine military statistics show that in September, the Philippines detected a total of 101 Chinese navy and coast guard vessels near Thitu Island, Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal (called Scarborough Shoal in China and Masinloc Shoal in the Philippines).

The Philippines pointed out on the 8th that the number of Chinese ships in the South China Sea in August was 56, and the number of ships in September was almost twice that of the previous month. Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for the Philippine military on South China Sea affairs, told AFP that the purpose of China’s increased military deployment is to shake the Philippines’ determination to defend its territory.

"It's called a mission kill, and it's trying to destroy your ability to continue on a mission," Triniday said.

The latest conflict between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea occurred on the 4th. The maritime teams of the Philippine Coast Guard, Navy and National Police received notification that foreign fishing boats were suspected of using explosives to illegally fish near Sandy Cays, about 3 nautical miles west of Thitu Island.

When the Philippine small boat went to intercept and repeatedly requested to stop the ship via radio, two Chinese Coast Guard ships intervened. The Chinese coast guard ship not only blew its whistle and provoked through radio, but also deliberately cut in to block the Philippine small boat. The closest distance between the two sides was only about 9.1 meters. In addition, a Chinese naval helicopter circled above Philippine law enforcement personnel four times in a row.

Under the cover of China's coast guard and military, the fishing boat involved ignored the Philippines' instructions and fled toward the Chinese-controlled Subi Reef. Based on safety concerns, the Philippines gave up the pursuit and returned to Thitu Island.