Description

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Context

Chinese latest military deployment near disputed Scarborough Shoal underscores its growing assertiveness in South China Sea raising security concerns for Philippines & US while defying international arbitration rulings.

Key Highlights

Satellite images confirm presence of two Chinese H-6 bombers near disputed Scarborough Shoal part of Beijing growing military assertiveness in South China Sea.

The deployment was not officially publicized but coincided with US Defense Secretary visit to Philippines indicating a possible show of force by China.

The move comes amid frequent clashes between Chinese coast guard vessels & Filipino fishermen raising concerns over freedom of navigation in region.

Geopolitical Implications

US reaffirmed its ironclad commitment to defending Philippines under their Mutual Defense Treaty.

Beijing continues to expand its military footprint in South China Sea rejecting international rulings (2016 Hague Tribunal) that dismissed its claims.

China has increasingly deployed H-6 bombers in South China Sea & Taiwan Strait showcasing its capability for long-range strike missions.

Historical Context

2012 Seizure China took de facto control of Scarborough Shoal after a naval standoff with Philippines.

2016 Arbitration Ruling Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague ruled that China claim had no legal basis but Beijing refused to comply.

Philippines Coast Guard regularly reports Chinese aggression including dangerous flight maneuvers & blocking access to Filipino vessels.

Military & Strategic Importance

Scarborough Shoal lies within Philippines 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone making it critical for fishing rights & maritime resources.

China has deployed radars, patrol vessels & military aircraft in & around shoal reinforcing its claims.

The presence of H-6 bombers capable of carrying nuclear & anti-ship missiles highlights Chinese power projection in Indo-Pacific.

Scarborough Shoal

Aspect	Details
Geographical Location	South China Sea, about 120 nautical miles west of Luzon, Philippines
Other Names	Huangyan Dao (China), Bajo de Masinloc (Philippines)
Disputed Claimants	China, Philippines, Taiwan
Strategic Importance	Key fishing ground & military outpost Vital chokepoint for maritime trade Proximity to US-aligned Philippines
China’s Claim	Part of its Nine-Dash Line territorial assertion in South China Sea
Philippines’ Position	Recognized as part of its EEZ under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on Law of Sea)
2012 Standoff	China seized control after a standoff with Philippine Navy
2016 PCA Ruling	Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of Philippines, rejecting China’s claim
China’s Response	Rejected ruling, maintained military presence in area
Military Deployment	Chinese Coast Guard patrols Radars & Surveillance Systems Recent H-6 Bomber Deployment
US Position	Supports Philippines sovereignty, opposes Chinese militarization
Economic Significance	Rich in fisheries, potential underwater resources
Current Situation	Ongoing military tensions, US-Philippines joint patrols & China’s aggressive maneuvers

South China Sea Dispute

Aspect	Details
Location	The South China Sea, bordered by China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei & Indonesia
Disputed Features	Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal & various reefs & atolls
Key Claimants	China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei
China’s Claim	Nine-Dash Line claim based on historical maps, covering 90% of South China Sea
International Legal Position	Governed by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on Law of Sea) 2016 PCA Ruling dismissed China’s claims
China’s Actions	Artificial island-building Militarization (missiles, airstrips, radars, naval bases) Coast Guard & naval patrols to assert control
Other Countries’ Responses	Vietnam: Strong resistance, naval clashes Philippines: Legal challenge, sought US support Malaysia & Brunei: More diplomatic approach Indonesia: Protecting its Natuna Islands from Chinese incursions
Economic Significance	$3.37 trillion annual trade passes through Oil & gas reserves, rich fisheries
US Involvement	Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) Defense agreements with allies (Philippines, Japan, Australia) Opposition to China's territorial expansion
Recent Developments	Increased US-Philippines military drills China’s bomber deployment at Scarborough Shoal ASEAN discussions on Code of Conduct

US-Philippines Relations

Aspect	Details
Historical Ties	US ruled Philippines as a colony (1898-1946) Strong military & economic partnership since independence
Defense Agreements	Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) 1951: US pledged to defend Philippines in case of attack Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) 2014: Allowed US forces access to Philippine military bases
Military Cooperation	Joint military exercises (e.g., Balikatan) US assistance in modernizing Philippines' military Maritime patrols in South China Sea
Economic Relations	US is a top trade partner & investor $25 billion in trade (2023) US support for economic development & disaster aid
South China Sea Issue	US supports Philippines’ claims, opposes Chinese aggression Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs)
Challenges & Tensions	Past tensions during Duterte’s presidency (closer ties with China) Concerns over human rights issues in Philippines
Recent Developments	US reaffirmed its "ironclad commitment" to defending Philippines (March 2025) Increased US troop presence under EDCA Philippines allowing US access to strategic military bases

United Nations Convention on Law of Sea

Aspect	Details
What is UNCLOS?	A comprehensive treaty adopted in 1982 that defines rights & responsibilities of nations regarding use of world's oceans.
Jurisdiction & Governance	Administered by United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs & Law of Sea (DOALOS)
Key Maritime Zones Defined	Territorial Waters (12 nautical miles): Full sovereignty of coastal state. Contiguous Zone (24 nautical miles): Coastal state has enforcement rights against illegal activities. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200 nautical miles): Coastal state has rights to exploit marine resources. Continental Shelf (up to 350 nautical miles in some cases): Rights to seabed resources. High Seas (beyond national jurisdiction): Open to all states for navigation, fishing & scientific research.
Legal Dispute Mechanisms	International Tribunal for Law of Sea (ITLOS) Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
China & UNCLOS	China signed & ratified UNCLOS in 1996, but it rejects 2016 PCA ruling against its South China Sea claims.
2016 PCA Ruling	Ruled that China’s Nine-Dash Line has no legal basis. Declared Scarborough Shoal is a traditional fishing ground for multiple nations.
US & UNCLOS	Has not ratified UNCLOS but follows its principles.

Historical Possession of Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Island)

Period	Possession & Control	Key Events
Pre-13th Century	Open fishing ground	Used by Chinese, Filipino & other Southeast Asian fishermen for centuries.
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368)	China references shoal in maps	Some Chinese maps from Yuan Dynasty mention Huangyan Island, but no administrative control was established.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)	Chinese naval expeditions	Admiral Zheng He’s voyages (1405-1433) mapped parts of South China Sea but did not establish governance.
Spanish Rule (1565–1898)	Spanish control over Philippines	Spain governed Philippines but did not explicitly include Scarborough Shoal in colonial maps.
1898-1946 (US Rule)	US control after Treaty of Paris	After Spanish-American War, US governed Philippines, including adjacent waters.
1946-1997 (Philippines Control)	Philippines claimed shoal	After independence (1946), Philippines used shoal for fishing & military training. The shoal was considered part of Philippine EEZ after UNCLOS (1982).
1997-2012 (Philippines-China Dispute)	China asserts claim	China starts referring to shoal as Huangyan Island. In 2012, after a naval standoff, China seizes control of shoal.
2016 UNCLOS Ruling	Philippines wins legal case	The PCA ruled that China has no legal basis to claim Scarborough Shoal.
Present (2025)	China controls Scarborough Shoal	China maintains de facto control but Philippines disputes it. The US supports Philippines under Mutual Defense Treaty.

For more such articles, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. How does Chinese military expansion in South China Sea including bomber deployments near Scarborough Shoal affect Indian maritime security & strategic interests?