On October 10, a Philippine Navy gunboat entered the waters adjacent to Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, prompting a response from the China Coast Guard. The Chinese vessel took necessary measures to drive the Philippine ship away, escalating an already sensitive issue in China-Philippines relations.
Huangyan Island, part of the Zhongsha Islands, has been under China’s sovereignty for decades. The island was first discovered and named by China, with its territorial claims reaffirmed through various publications in 1935, 1947, and 1983. Over the past 30 years, China has permitted radio amateurs to land on the island on four occasions to conduct radio measurements, further solidifying its jurisdiction.
The recent intrusion marks a significant shift in the Philippines' stance. Prior to 1997, the Philippines did not claim Huangyan Island as part of its territory, a position clearly stated by Philippine authorities in the early 1990s. However, in 1997, the Philippines reversed its position, establishing an official territorial claim over Huangyan Island. This change has led to increased tensions and challenges to China's longstanding sovereignty.
The Philippines' territorial claims extend beyond its internationally recognized boundaries, which have been defined by a series of treaties and bilateral agreements with the United States. The unilateral assertion of sovereignty over Huangyan Island by the Philippines is seen by China as a violation of the United Nations Charter and the basic norms of international relations.
China remains steadfast in its claim, emphasizing historical ownership and legal documentation that underpin its territorial rights over Huangyan Island. The escalation underscores the fragile stability in the South China Sea and the ongoing disputes that affect regional and international relations.
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Philippines' intrusion into China's Huangyan Island increases tensions
cgtn.com
