South China Sea & West Philippine Sea: Key Developments This Week

Indo-Pacific in Focus: West Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Beyond (October 13-19, 2024)

This week in the Indo-Pacific saw continued tensions in the South China Sea, with developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and other regional flashpoints. Here’s a breakdown of key events:

South China Sea:

• US Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs): No reported FONOPs by the US Navy this week within the disputed territories of the South China Sea. However, the US military continues to maintain a strong presence in the region, promoting freedom of navigation and challenging excessive maritime claims.
• Chinese Coast Guard Activity: Reports indicate continued activity by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels around the Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands. This includes monitoring of fishing activities and interceptions of Vietnamese fishing vessels.

West Philippine Sea (WPS):

• Increased Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Patrols: The Philippine Coast Guard has reportedly intensified patrols in the WPS this week, particularly around areas like Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island). This move comes amidst continued concerns over Chinese fishing and militia activity in the region.
• Fisherfolk Dispute: There have been no reported incidents of harassment or驅逐 (qū zhú – expulsion) of Filipino fishermen by Chinese vessels within the WPS this week. However, tensions remain high as Filipino fishermen continue to raise concerns about restricted access to traditional fishing grounds.

Broader Indo-Pacific:

• AUKUS Meeting: Representatives from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) met virtually this week to discuss ongoing cooperation on various security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including nuclear non-proliferation and maritime security.
• North Korea: North Korea conducted another ballistic missile test on 14 October 2024, raising concerns about its ongoing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Looking Ahead:

• The coming week will be closely watched for any further developments in the South China Sea and the WPS.
• Regional countries are expected to continue their patrols and exercises to assert their claims.
• The international community will be monitoring the situation for any signs of escalation.

Sources:

• Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Reports
• US Department of Defense (DoD) Statements
• Vietnamese media reports

Note: Due to the sensitivity of the situation, some details may be limited. WPS News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.