Geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea continue to intensify, driven by overlapping territorial claims, maritime confrontations, and shifting regional alliances.
Frequent Maritime Confrontations
Encounters between the Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine vessels near disputed areas, including Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal, remain a major source of diplomatic tensions.
Incidents have included blocking manoeuvres, water cannon attacks, and challenges to Philippine marine research activities.
Diplomatic Escalation
Manila has increasingly used diplomatic channels to address tensions, including summoning Chinese ambassadors over controversial remarks and perceived threats. The Philippines has also criticized actions it says undermine regional stability.
Deepening Security Alliances
In response to China’s expansive maritime claims, the Philippines has strengthened defence cooperation with partners, particularly the United States and Australia.
These partnerships involve joint military exercises, maritime security cooperation, and efforts to improve maritime domain awareness.
The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling rejected China’s claims to historic rights within the nine-dash line to the extent they exceeded the maritime entitlements permitted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China has rejected the ruling.
Code of Conduct Negotiations
Negotiations between ASEAN and China on a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea remain challenging.
Key disagreements involve the geographical scope, legal enforceability, and rights of third parties. Manila continues to push for provisions that protect its maritime rights.
Timeline of Philippines-China Relations in 2026
Reuters published a chronological timeline highlighting key reason for friction between the two nations.
JANUARY 20 – China says it drove away a Philippine aircraft that it accused of illegally entering the airspace over Scarborough Shoal.
JANUARY 27 – Philippine and U.S. militaries conduct joint drills near Scarborough Shoal.
FEBRUARY 27 – The Philippines joins maritime exercises with the United States and Japan in the South China Sea, while China conducts similar drills in the disputed waters.
MARCH 4 – The Philippines apprehends nationals suspected of spying for China.
MARCH 18 – China expels two Philippine aircraft over Scarborough Shoal.
MARCH 20 – The Philippines accuses a Chinese naval vessel of directing its fire-control radar at a Philippine vessel.
MARCH 29 – China conducts naval, air, and coast guard patrols around Scarborough Shoal following renewed energy cooperation talks between Beijing and Manila.
APRIL 9 – The Philippine Coast Guard accuses Chinese forces of firing flares directly at its aircraft in the South China Sea.
APRIL 25 – China conducts live-fire drills near Luzon as Manila and Washington hold military exercises.
APRIL 27 – The Philippines and the United States conduct joint drills in Palawan province.
MAY 2 – The United States and the Philippines deploy an anti-ship missile system in a province near Taiwan for military exercises.
MAY 7 – The Philippines accuses a Chinese vessel of conducting illegal research near the gas-rich Reed Bank.
