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The Philippines has constructed a new coast guard station on the disputed island of Thitu in the South China Sea, enhancing its capacity to monitor the movements of Chinese vessels and aircraft in the contested waterway. The Philippine coast guard observed a Chinese navy ship and a considerable number of militia vessels near the island earlier this year, contributing to the escalating tension surrounding territorial claims in the region. The newly inaugurated three-storey facility is equipped with advanced technology, including radar, automatic identification systems, satellite communication, and coastal cameras, according to a statement from the Philippine coast guard. During a visit to the island, Eduardo Ano, the Philippine national security adviser, expressed concerns about the unpredictable behaviour exhibited by the Chinese coast guard, People’s Liberation Army Navy, and Chinese militias.
Thitu, commonly known as Pag-asa, is situated approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers) west of Palawan, a province in the Philippines, and is inhabited by around 200 individuals. The government of Manila utilizes this island to assert its territorial sovereignty over the surrounding region.
China asserts its dominance over the South China Sea, encompassing various islands and waters that are far from its mainland and near the shores of neighboring nations. To reinforce its position, China has constructed artificial islands and military bases in the area. Aside from the Philippines and China, other countries such as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have competing claims to certain parts of this maritime region. This bustling waterway serves as a crucial channel for the transportation of goods worth over $3 trillion (equivalent to approximately €2.75 trillion) annually. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano, along with other officials from the Philippines, embarked on a trip to Thitu Island via an air force plane on Friday.
Their objective was to inaugurate a newly constructed, two-story center equipped with radar, ship-tracking, and other monitoring equipment. This facility aims to monitor China’s activities in the highly contested waters, as well as address other issues such as sea accidents his visit to the island. After the ceremony, Ano expressed his concern to reporters, stating that the actions of Chinese ships were a blatant violation of international law and a demonstration of bullying. Despite China’s considerable military strength, the Philippines has decided to allow an increase in the presence of the U.S. military in their local camps this year, as outlined in a defense agreement established in 2014. In addition, the Philippines has recently started conducting joint sea and air patrols with the United States and Australia as part of their deterrence strategy. This approach is bringing the allied powers into direct conflict with Beijing. During his visit to the island, Eduardo Ano, the Philippine national security adviser, stated, “The actions of the Chinese coast guard, People’s Liberation Army Navy, and Chinese militias can sometimes be unpredictable. They disregard the international order and the rule of law.
The lack of immediate response from the Chinese embassy in Manila regarding the inquiries is concerning. It is important to note that Thitu, the outpost of Manila, holds a considerable strategic value within the South China Sea. Despite contested territorial claims from several regional nations, Beijing continues to assert its dominance in this areas.
Submitted By: Jagriti Tiwari, A First Year Legal Intern At Legal Vidhya
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