Sabina Shoal: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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Sabina Shoal is a disputed low-tide elevation<ref name="scmp-new-hotspot" /><ref name="amti-map" /> in the Spratly Islands which is [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea|claimed by multiple states]]: China, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. As a low-tide elevation that is not within the territorial sea of a [[littoral]] state, Sabina Shoal itself does not generate any [[territorial sea]] of its own per Article 13 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).<ref>{{cite web |title=United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea |url=https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/part2.htm |publisher=[[United Nations]] |access-date=23 September 2024}}</ref>

There is a distinction between sovereignty and sovereign rights according to international maritime law.<ref name="sovereigntyVsSovereignRights">{{cite news |last1=Basu |first1=Pratnashree |title=Sovereignty Vs. Sovereign Rights: De-escalating Tensions in the South China Sea |url=https://www.orfonline.org/research/sovereignty-vs-sovereign-rights-de-escalating-tensions-in-the-south-china-sea |publisher=[[Observer Research Foundation]] |date=August 14, 2023}}</ref><ref name="seaDisputeSovereigntyVsSovereignRights">{{cite news |last1=Alfarsi |first1=Haroun |title=Sea Dispute: Sovereignty vs. Sovereign Rights |url=https://www.profolus.com/topics/sovereignty-vs-sovereign-rights-difference/ |publisher=Profolus |date=April 27, 2024}}</ref> Determining sovereignty of disputed features is beyond the jurisdiction of UNCLOS according to Professor Robert Beckman of [[Nanyang Technological University]].<ref name="beckmanRoleOfUNCLOS">{{Cite web |first1 =Andrea| last1 =Ho|date=2021-05-06 |title=Professor Robert Beckman on the Role of UNCLOS in Maritime Disputes |url=https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2021/05/06/professor-robert-beckman-on-the-role-of-unclos-in-maritime-disputes/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Georgetown Journal of International Affairs |language=en-US}}</ref> The 2016 [[South China Sea Arbitration]] by the arbitral tribunal at [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] in [[The Hague]] stated that it was not empowered to address the question of sovereignty over the Spratly Islands.<ref name="scsArbitration2016">{{cite web |last1=Mensah |first1=Thomas A. |title=The South China Sea Arbitration Award of 12 July 2016 |url=https://pcacases.com/web/sendAttach/2086 |website=PCA Cases |publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] |access-date=September 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name=jurisadmiss>{{cite web |title=Award on Jurisdiction and Admissibility |date=29 October 2015 |publisher=Permanent Court of Arbitration |url=https://pcacases.com/web/sendAttach/2579 |language=en |access-date=30 January 2022 |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503202232/https://pcacases.com/web/sendAttach/2579 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ruling did address specific issues brought to it which included where the Philippines' sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone had been breached by others.<ref name=jurisadmiss/> While Sabina Shoal was not specifically mentioned in the 2016 PCA ruling,<ref name="scsArbitration2016" /> the ruling was a landmark decision which affirmed the rights of the Philippines over the waters surrounding the shoal.<ref name="geostrategicSignificanceSabina">{{cite web |title=AnalysisThe Geostrategic Significance of Sabina Shoal: A Flashpoint in the South China Sea Dispute |url=https://thepacificreports.com/2024/08/24/the-geostrategic-significance-of-sabina-shoal-a-flashpoint-in-the-south-china-sea-dispute/ |publisher=The Pacific Report |access-date=September 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="newFirestormErupts">{{cite news |last1=Seidel |first1=Jamie |title=New ‘firestorm’ erupts between China and Philippines in South China Sea |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/new-firestorm-erupts-between-china-and-philippines-in-south-china-sea/news-story/ad4eee1ab3a200f752cbf3ff451b14d8 |publisher=[[News.com.au]] |date=September 5, 2024}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2024|reason=many inaccuracies}}

The Philippines as the coastal state has the sovereign rights to explore, manage, and conserve the natural resources of the sea within its EEZ according to UNCLOS.<ref name="chineseShipsReturnSabinaShoal">{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Ray |title=Chinese ships return to Sabina Shoal |url=https://www.sealight.live/posts/chinese-ships-return-to-sabina-shoal |publisher=SeaLight |date=November 19, 2023}}</ref><ref name="philippinesDidNotSurrender">{{cite news |last1=Gutierrez |first1=Jason |title=Philippines says it did not surrender Sabina Shoal to China |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/southchinasea/south-china-sea-sabina-shoal-09162024141029.html |publisher=[[Radio Free Asia]] |date=September 16, 2024}}</ref> It also has jurisdiction on "the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations and structures; marine scientific research; and the protection and preservation of the marine environment" according to the same.<ref name="preambleToUNCLOS" />

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===Ramming incidents===

On August 19, 2024, [[Philippine Coast Guard]] vessels [[BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411)|BRP ''Cape Engaño'']] along with the [[BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410)|BRP ''Bagacay'']] suffered damage after being rammed by [[China Coast Guard]] (CCG) ships off Sabina Shoal. ''Bagacay'' suffered a 3-foot hole above the [[waterline]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Aaron-Matthew |first=Lariosa |date=19 August 2024 |title=China Coast Guard Rams Philippine Cutters Near Disputed South China Sea Shoals |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/08/19/china-coast-guard-rams-philippine-cutters-near-disputed-south-china-sea-shoals |access-date=23 August 2024 |work=USNI News}}</ref> A [[60 Minutes]] crew with journalist [[Cecilia Vega]] were onboard the ''Cape Engaño'' when it was surrounded by 14 Chinese Coast Guard and [[Maritime Militia]] ships and rammed at 4am by a China Coast GuardCCG vessel. The ramming tore a 3 1/2 foot hole above the waterline on the ''Cape Engaño''.<ref name="chinaRamsPhilippineShip60Minutes">{{cite news |title=China rams Philippine ship while 60 Minutes on board; South China Sea tensions could draw U.S. in |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V80MGYrWWaM |publisher=[[60 Minutes]] |date=September 16, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:China Coast Guard vessel 21555 ramming BRP Datu Sanday near Escoda Shoal.webm|thumb|China Coast Guard vessel 21555 ramming BRP ''Datu Sanday'' on August 25, 2024 near Sabina Shoal]]

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The day after a clash between the two coast guards near the shoal on August 19, 2024, the Philippine government stated it was examining expanding the provisional agreement that had been established to de-escalate tensions near the [[Second Thomas Shoal]] to other areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231566 |title=PH mulls expanding Ayungin Shoal 'provisional arrangement' with China |author=Darryl John Esguerra |work=Philippine News Agency |date=August 20, 2024 |access-date=August 20, 2024}}</ref>

On August 25, 2024, while approaching Sabina Shoal on a humanitarian mission to resupply Filipino fishermen with fuel, food and medical supplies, the Philippine [[Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources|Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)]] vessel [[BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV-3002)|BRP ''Datu Sanday'']] was rammed and had water cannons deployed on itsurrounded by at least 8 Chinese vessels, which caused an engine failure on the vessel, disabling it. BRP ''Datu Sanday'' was targeted byincluding the [[People's Liberation Army Navy|People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)]] ship 626 and multiple China Coast Guard cutters.<ref name="usniBRPDatuSanday">{{cite news |last1=Lariosa |first1=Aaron-Matthew |title=Chinese Cutters Ram Philippine Vessel in the South China Sea |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/08/25/chinese-cutters-ram-philippine-vessel-in-the-south-china-sea |publisher=[[USNI News]] |date=August 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name="8ChineseShipsRamHarassBFAR">{{cite news |last1=Naval |first1=Rex Anthony |title=NTF-WPS: 8 Chinese ships ram, harass BFAR vessel |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/08/26/ntf-wps-8-chinese-ships-ram-harass-bfar-vessel/ |publisher=[[Business Mirror]] |date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2024|reason=Some details differ from the USNI article for example.}} Philippine officials said the ''Datu Sanday'' was on a "humanitarian mission"; the vessel is traditionally used to resupply fishing crews.<ref name=":0" /> It was rammed and suffered engine failure after being doused by water cannons from the Chinese vessels. China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu accused the Philippine vessel of intentionally colliding with their ship, but a video released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 21555 doingrapidly approaching the ''Datu Sanday'' before the rammingcollision.<ref name="chineseShipsWaterCannonsRamBFAR">{{cite news |title=Chinese Ships Deploy Water Cannons & Ram BFAR Vessel To Disrupt Humanitarian Mission |url=https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/chinese-ships-deploy-water-cannons-ram-bfar-vessel-to-disrupt-humanitarian-mission/ |publisher=Marine Insight |date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:BRP Teresa Magbanua being rammed by China Coast Guard vessel 5205.webm|thumb|China Coast Guard vessel 5205 ramming BRP ''Teresa Magbanua'' on August 31, 2024 in Sabina Shoal]]

On August 31, 2024, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said China Coast Guard vessel 5205 rammed the port bow of the Philippines Coast GuardPCG patrol ship [[BRP Teresa Magbanua|BRP ''Teresa Magbanua'']], then turned around and struck its starboard quarter, turned around once more and struck its port bow. Parts of the Philippine Coast Guard ship were left with holes after the Chinese Coast Guard vessel's actions.<ref name="ccgRamPCGThreeTimes">{{cite news |last1=Ong |first1=Ghio |title=Chinese Vessel Rams PCG Patrol Ship 3 times |url=https://www.onenews.ph/articles/chinese-vessel-rams-pcg-patrol-ship-3-times |publisher=[[One News (TV channel)|One News]] |date=September 1, 2024}}</ref> Footage released on social media by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela showed how the China Coast Guard vessel deliberately rammed the Philippine Coast Guard patrol ship multiple times.<ref name="newFirestormErupts" /> The China Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun's claim wasTarriela released hoursfootage earliershowing thatthe “Atdamage 12:06,to the Philippine ship deliberately rammed into the Chinese ship 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causingincluding a collisionman-sized for which the Philippines bears full responsibilityhole.”<ref name="chineseVesselRamsPCGchinaRammingManSizedHoleBRP">{{cite news |last1date=OngSeptember |first1=Ghio2, 2024 |title=ChineseChina vesselramming ramspokes PCGman-sized patrolhole shipon 3BRP timesTeresa Magbanua |url=https://www.philstargmanetwork.com/headlinesnews/2024topstories/09nation/01918961/2382040/chinesechina-vesselramming-ramspokes-pcgman-patrolsized-shiphole-3on-timesbrp-teresa-magbanua/story/ |publisher=[[TheGMA PhilippineNews StarOnline]] |date=September 1, 2024}}</ref> TariellaChina releasedCoast furtherGuard footagesaid showingit was conducting enforcement against the damage''Teresa toMagbanua'' in "China's Xianbin Reef" and despite warnings "the Philippine ship, including9701 adeliberately man-sizedcollided holewith the Chinese ship 5205."<ref name="chinaRammingManSizedHoleBRPchineseVesselRamsPCG">{{cite news |last1=Ong |first1=Ghio |title=ChinaChinese rammingvessel pokesrams man-sizedPCG holepatrol onship BRP3 Teresa Magbanuatimes |url=https://www.gmanetworkphilstar.com/newsheadlines/topstories2024/nation09/91896101/china2382040/chinese-rammingvessel-pokesrams-manpcg-sizedpatrol-holeship-on3-brp-teresa-magbanua/story/times |publisher=[[GMAThe NewsPhilippine OnlineStar]] |date=September 21, 2024}}</ref>

The United States,<ref name="usStandsWithPH">{{cite news |last1=KG |title=US stands with PH, condemns China's actions in WPS |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/us-stands-with-ph-condemns-chinas-actions-in-wps/ar-AA1pMPud |publisher=[[MSN]] |date=September 1, 2024}}</ref> Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and the European Union condemned China's repeated ramming of the Filipino vessel and denounced China's actions, demanding that China stop its aggression.<ref name="euJoins4Nations">{{cite news |last1=Abarca |first1=Charie |title=EU joins 4 nations in denouncing China’s ramming of PH boat in West Philippine Sea |url=https://www.inquirer.net/412458/eu-joins-4-nations-in-denouncing-chinas-ramming-of-ph-boat-in-west-philippine-sea/ |publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=September 2, 2024}}</ref>

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[[File:Philippine Coast Guard examining crushed dead corals dumped in Sabina Shoal.jpg|thumb|Philippine Coast Guard examining crushed dead corals dumped in Sabina Shoal]]

In September of 2023, athe Philippine Coast Guard survey revealedreported "massive damage" to the marine environment and coral reef in Sabina Shoal.<ref name="massiveDamageRozulEscoda">{{cite news |last1=Manabat |first1=Jacque |title=Coast Guard videos show massive damage to Rozul Reef, Escoda Shoal |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/18/23/pcg-videos-show-damage-to-rozul-reef-escoda-shoal |publisher=[[ABS-CBN News]] |date=September 18, 2023}}</ref> TheIt presencesuggested of crushed corals inthat the reefdestruction indicatedmay dumpinghave andbeen potentialthe attemptsresult atof reclamation activitiesdumping, similarillegal to [[artificial islands]] created by China in the South China Seafishing, also known as theand [[Greatland Wall of Sandreclamation]]. Inefforts May, 2024,by the Philippine Coast Guard discovered more crushed corals at the shoal, and said that [[maritime militia|Chinese maritime militia]] vessels were suspected as they were swarming the area with [[cabbage tactics]] prior to the environmental destruction.<ref name="escodaShoalSorryState">{{cite news |last1=Delizo |first1=Michael |title=PCG: Escoda Shoal in sorry state after coral dumping for reclamation attempt |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/11/pcg-escoda-shoal-in-sorry-state-after-coral-dumping-for-reclamation-attempt-1517 |publisher=[[ABS-CBN News]] |date=May 11, 2024}}</ref><ref name="manilaAccusesBeijingOfIslandBuilding" />

China said there was no scientific or factual basis for the claims made by the Philippines. It claimed that the PCG ship (BRP Teresa Magbanua) which had been anchored at the shoal in April 2024<ref name="scsAVisualGuide" /> had caused continuous damage to the surrounding natural environment.<ref>{{cite news |title=China says no scientific, factual basis for Philippines' damage claims at Sabina Shoal |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/3/219951/China-says-no-scientific,-factual-basis-for-Philippines'-damage-claims-at-Sabina-Shoal |publisher=The Standard |date=30 Aug 2024}}</ref>