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Pressure on the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea escalated this week as about 60 Chinese ships surrounded Thitu Island, known locally as Pag-Asa. The island is the largest Philippine-controlled territory in the region and is close to Subi Reef, where China has built a naval base. The movements of the vessels were captured by Maxar Technologies satellites and reviewed by Reuters, revealing a significant concentration of vessels just two nautical miles from the island.
Thitu Island is a key outpost for the Philippines, serving as a base for monitoring Chinese maritime activities. Despite its importance, the massive presence of Chinese vessels has raised mixed reactions among Philippine authorities. Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres sought to downplay the impact, saying such movements are frequent. In contrast, Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad called the situation “illegal,” but stressed that calm must be maintained.
“It is essential that we maintain our firm position and avoid disproportionate reactions to provocations,” Trinidad said.
Experts, however, see strategic objectives behind this concentration of ships. According to Collin Koh, a maritime security analyst, China may be trying to delay the construction of a military hangar on Thitu Island, a project that would reinforce the Philippine military presence in the region.
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Fishing vessels or maritime militia?
Although Beijing denies the existence of a maritime militia, analysts believe many of these Chinese vessels, apparently registered as fishing boats, are part of an unofficial force working alongside the Chinese coast guard and navy.
This strategy, which mixes civilian disguise with military objectives, has been used in other disputed areas, such as Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines and China have already engaged in clashes.
Regional dispute and international context
Tensions in the South China Sea are nothing new. The area is claimed almost entirely by Beijing as part of its historic territory, but other countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, dispute that claim. For Manila, the challenge is great: seeking support from allies like the United States while avoiding aggravating conflicts with its powerful neighbor.
The latest episode involving China’s ships highlights the complexities of these disputes. For the Philippines, the conspicuous presence of Chinese vessels near Thitu Island is more than a provocation; it is a constant reminder of the struggle for sovereignty in one of the world’s most contested seas.
