China and Philippines Clash in South China Sea Amid Tensions, Risking Standoff with US

As Philippines and China collide twice at contested Second Thomas Shoal in one day, deteriorating relations stall peace strategies and raise prospect of military involvement from a defence-allied US.

China and the Philippines have clashed twice at the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, with each nation accusing the other of violating territorial sovereignty. The injunctions have led to a breakdown of peace strategies and raised fears of potential U.S. military involvement.
The countries committed to establishing a direct emergency line and China pledged $22 billion in investments towards the Philippines in January 2023, but bilateral relations dulled following allegations of aggressive behaviours by China towards Philippines' vessels.
China is accused of trying to let a grounded Filipino warship deteriorate at the Second Thomas Shoal to facilitate its own territorial takeover. The Philippines has reinforced the ship and continued to maintain its presence and territorial claim in the contested region, further straining relations.
In responding to China's actions, the Philippines has moved closer to the U.S. It expanded its defense alliance with the U.S. in April 2023 and proposed sites for new U.S. military bases near the disputed waters. This raises the potential for a U.S.-China standoff.
There are suggestions that resolving the disputes involves all parties accepting the status quo and resolving resource disputes within international naval law and the UNCLOS framework. However, current tensions make this solution appear unlikely.