The Philippines has accused China's coast guard of hindering confidence-building in the South China Sea through aggressive actions, including ramming and damaging its vessels. The US has condemned China's actions as dangerous and reckless, while an international arbitral tribunal has ruled that China's claim to the region has no basis under international law.
The Philippines has been testing China's resolve with increased coast guard activity in its exclusive economic zone. The Philippines will pursue diplomacy over military action in response to rising maritime tensions with China, including considering new agreements to manage air and sea encounters.
The country seeks a peaceful resolution to the conflict and does not want to instigate war. Japan, the US, Germany, France, New Zealand, and Australia have expressed concern over the recent incidents and voiced support for the Philippines.
China's expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea pose a threat to peace and trade, as the region is a crucial global economic factor with a significant portion of maritime trade passing through it. The tensions in the area have led the Philippines to reduce its economic dependence on China and seek investments from other allies, such as Japan and the US.
