Maritime Activities Continue in Disputed Asian Waters Over Past Week

Over the period from January 8 to 15, 2026, routine maritime operations and diplomatic developments marked activities in the West Philippine Sea (the Philippine-claimed portion of the South China Sea), the broader South China Sea, and the East China Sea. These longstanding disputes, active since at least 2013 with China’s increased presence in contested areas, involved ongoing patrols, a reported harassment incident, and strengthened bilateral defense cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.

In the West Philippine Sea, the first documented incident of 2026 occurred on January 12 near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal). A Filipino fishing vessel, FFB Prince LJ, was approached by a China Coast Guard cutter (CCGV 23521) and a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship (PLAN 621). The vessels closed to within 30 meters, used sirens, and blocked the fishing boat’s path, prompting it to alter course. The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Cape San Agustin responded by providing fuel and medical assistance (Tribune, 2026). Philippine officials reported an uptick in Chinese vessels early in the year, including naval, coast guard, and maritime militia assets near features like Panatag Shoal, though described as a continuation of established patterns rather than a new escalation (Philstar, 2026).

The Chinese Embassy in Manila characterized such operations as standard patrols to protect sovereignty and accused Philippine actions of provocation. Beijing rejected claims of “illegal patrols,” emphasizing distinctions between territorial seas and exclusive economic zones under UNCLOS (Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, 2026).

Elsewhere in the South China Sea, no major new confrontations were reported during this period, though the region has seen persistent monitoring of resupply missions and fishing activities. The Philippines, as 2026 ASEAN chair, continues to advocate for multilateral dialogue on incident management (UPI, 2026).

In the East China Sea, China maintained its frequent coast guard presence near the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu to China), with activities consistent with 2025 trends of near-daily sightings in contiguous zones (The Diplomat, 2026). Japan protested Chinese mobile drilling operations near the median line, calling them unilateral (various reports, early January). Diplomatic rhetoric between Beijing and Tokyo remained pointed, focusing on historical sensitivities and territorial assertions (Washington Times, 2026).

A key development on January 15 was the signing of defense agreements between the Philippines and Japan in Manila. The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) enables mutual provision of supplies like fuel, food, and ammunition during joint exercises. This builds on the 2024 Reciprocal Access Agreement and includes Japanese commitments for defense modernization aid (approximately ¥900 million) and infrastructure support (Philstar, 2026; Reuters, 2026). The pacts aim to enhance interoperability amid shared concerns over regional maritime stability.

These events reflect the sustained nature of disputes in these waters, with parties maintaining positions through patrols, diplomatic protests, and alliance-building. No significant shifts toward de-escalation or heightened conflict were observed in this timeframe.

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References
Chinese Embassy in the Philippines. (2026, January 13). Statement on the situation in the South China Sea. https://ph.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/sgfyrbt/202601/t20260113_11811547.htm
Philstar. (2026, January 14). China ships increase in West Philippine Sea in 2026. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/01/14/2500809/china-ships-increase-west-philippine-sea-2026
Philstar. (2026, January 15). Philippines, Japan sign new defense pact amid fraying relations with China. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/01/15/2501183/philippines-japan-sign-new-defense-pact-amid-fraying-relations-china
Reuters. (2026, January 15). Japan, Philippines sign new security pacts as regional tensions rise. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-philippines-sign-new-security-pacts-regional-tensions-rise-2026-01-15
The Diplomat. (2026, January 6). China Coast Guard presence near Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands reaches record high in 2025. https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/china-coast-guard-presence-near-senkaku-diaoyu-islands-reaches-record-high-in-2025
Tribune. (2026, January 13). First Chinese harassment incident of 2026 in Phl waters logged at Scarborough Shoal. https://tribune.net.ph/2026/01/13/first-chinese-harassment-incident-of-2026-in-phl-waters-logged-at-scarborough-shoal
UPI. (2026, January 8). Philippine leadership puts ASEAN at center of South China Sea rivalry. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/01/08/philippines-Philippines-ASEAN-chair-south-china-sea/2781767708752
Washington Times. (2026, January 8). China and Japan, uneasy neighbors in East Asia, are at odds again. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/8/china-japan-uneasy-neighbors-east-asia-odds