"Dangerous manoeuvres" in the cat-and-mouse maritime pursuit between China and the Philippines

In the South China Sea, where Beijing has made extensive territorial claims that have upset the US and its allies, a Chinese Coast Guard ship obstructed a Philippine patrol ship.

News cameras documented how, on cue and in predetermined areas, Chinese ships would follow or trail two Philippine Coast Guard ships as they travelled 1,670 kilometres (1,038 miles) over the course of six days. These Chinese ships would issue radio threats to the Filipinos to leave or face "consequences" in the process. The Philippine Coast Guard said that it has for the first time welcomed media to join their normal patrol in the contentious areas to see China's moves firsthand.

The Spratly Islands, which are also partially claimed by the Philippines, are included in China's nearly complete claim to the South China Sea. Additionally, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan have countervailing claims.

Especially now that US-China tensions have reached new heights, this has made the South China Sea one of the major flashpoints in the world. One reason is that access to these seas is essential for Taiwan's defence at a time when China's claims to the self-governing island are becoming more assertive. Second, the waterways facilitate $4 trillion ($5 trillion) in annual global trade, which raises questions about whether Beijing's expanding influence would stifle trade.

However, China has disregarded a decision by an international arbitration court that found the validity of its claim to almost the entire South China Sea. Instead, it has increased patrols, erected artificial islands over reefs, and most recently, fired lasers at Philippine ships to block their vision.

The Philippines, on the other hand, has relied on its steadfast friend, the US, which views China's actions as obstructing the "freedom of navigation" of other nations.

The US and the Philippines were wrapping up their largest-ever war drills at the time of the standoff. This happened shortly after the US gained access to significant military installations in the Philippines, several of which face Taiwan.

A look into China's strategy 

According to the Philippines foreign ministry, China engaged in "highly dangerous manoeuvres" in Second Thomas Shoal, and Filipino personnel had every right to frequently patrol the region. Beijing, on the other hand, said that the Philippines had violated Chinese territorial seas.

"China has long used tactics like shadowing, but now, because of the media, the whole world gets to see it," said Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Chinese ship had been tracking the Filipino crew's ship Malapascua, and before daybreak on April 23, the crew noted that the Chinese ship's speed had risen as evidenced by the thick, black smoke coming from her exhaust. The Malabrigo, a second Philippine ship, was around one kilometre distant when the BBC observed the high seas pursuit taking place in the normally calm turquoise waters.

Eventually the Chinese ship caught up with the Philippine boat, and it became clear that the latter could not outmanoeuvre a vessel more than twice its size. The Malapascua was forced to shut down its engine in order to prevent a collision because the Chinese ship blocked the path and resisted moving.

According to the Philippine ship captain Rodel Hernandez, the Chinese ship made a "sudden and really very dangerous manoeuvre" that brought it as near as 45m (146ft) to the Malapascua's bow. His warship, which was also involved in a laser incident with the Chinese in February, said it was the closest near-collision it has ever experienced.

The Philippine ships turned away after a 30-minute standoff and were unable to monitor the Second Thomas Shoal, one of the few contested outcrops and islets that Manila claims by stationing the old Navy cruiser Sierra Madre there with a few marines.

How China is increasing its control

The issue submitted before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 included China's habitual obstruction of Filipino patrols and supply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal. The shoal is a productive fishing area, and the term Ayungin, which is used in Filipino, comes from a small local fish.

Journalists who participated in the mission got a firsthand look at how the Philippine Coast Guard has been coping with the escalating South China Sea issue.

The crews of the two patrol boats are prepared with warning or retaliation scripts for Chinese ships. The Chinese are sending out radio alerts in both Chinese and English that might arrive at any time of day or night.

Some Chinese ships have reportedly adopted a new tactic in recent weeks by refusing to respond to warnings from the Philippines. A tracking device has also been disabled on certain Chinese militia ships so they won't be detected by radar.

In the coral zone of the Spratlys, close to the V-shaped Whitsun Reef, the coast guard expedition also discovered over 100 militia ships.

It claimed to have alerted a cabinet committee charged with resolving the South China Sea conflict on China's most recent moves.

The coastguard promised to "diligently and tirelessly work to protect the Philippines' exclusive sovereign rights" alongside other Philippine security agencies.

A number of journalists, including Virma Simonette of the BBC, were on board the Philippine Coast Guard ship when it was conducting a weeklong patrol in the South China Sea.