China Sea Tensions Escalate as Philippines Files 64th Protest Against China

Amid repeated incidents, Philippine President Marcos Jr voices frustration with traditional diplomacy, while experts predict continued minor escalations but no imminent full-blown conflict.

• Philippine officials reported China using water cannons against their vessels at two disputed areas of the South China Sea on two consecutive days, marking the fourth such incident.
• Philippines filed its 64th diplomatic protest against China this year, out of over 130 since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took power in June 2022.
• China has been accused of 'unprovoked acts of coercion' violating international law, damaging maritime assets and putting lives of Filipino crew at risk.
• Philippine President Marcos Jr has expressed frustration with 'traditional methods of diplomacy' with China, which have yielded 'very little progress'.
• Despite rising tensions, experts believe full-blown conflict is unlikely in the near future, though the risk of minor escalations remains.

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