As China ups the ante and the Philippines stands its ground, there is increasing pressure on the US to interfere in the disputed South China Sea area the Second Thomas Shoal.

Second Thomas Shoal the disputed island of Philippines and China ( Photo: Global News)

Second Thomas Shoal the disputed submerged reef of the Philippines and China

A showdown at a China-Philippines-disputed submerged reef in the volatile South China Sea appears to be in the works. On August 5, a Chinese Coast Guard ship used a water cannon to stop a Philippine government-chartered boat carrying supplies for its troops on Second Thomas Shoal. The boat was escorted by Philippine coast guard ships.

An earlier incident in Second Thomas Shoal in February in which a Chinese Coast Guard vessel directed a military-grade laser at the bridge of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel had already strained relations. Despite being the most recent of several instances involving China and the Philippines, the one on August 5 stood out due to its brazenness and the US response to it.

In fact, it appeared as though China’s despicable actions were a warning to the Philippines that its military rapprochement with the US had gone too far.

READ ALSO: BRICS Nations News: To Counter Western Domination, BRICS Members Will Assemble In South Africa

China’s neverending chase for the natural resources of the Second Thomas Shoal

In fact, this one might have completely shattered the back of constraint. At the very least, it has pushed a military conflict between China, the Philippines, and the US closer. Nationalist sentiment permeates this conflict, and if nothing is done, the legitimacy of the current government may be threatened due to the dispute in Second Thomas Shoal.

Manila declared that it will soon make another attempt to resupply its forces on a ship that was deliberately grounded on the reef while being escorted by its coast guard and perhaps US assets. Something needs to give as nationalism increases in China and the Philippines. Analysts and decision-makers are keeping an eye on the situation. The Philippines enjoys sole sovereign ownership of its natural resources in the Second Thomas Shoal. China declared it will not follow the decision and rejected it.

The Philippines lodged a complaint against China in January 2013 through the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea’s dispute resolution process. According to the ruling of the international arbitration tribunal from July 12, 2016, the submerged Second Thomas Shoal is a part of the continental shelf and lies within the Philippine nation’s exclusive economic zone.

READ ALSO: US-China Smart Tech Competition: Reevaluating Who Will Prevail