Philippines, China Clash Over South China Sea Claims at Munich Conference

Tensions between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea were highlighted during discussions at the Munich Security Conference, where Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo emphasized the Philippines' adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Manalo criticized China's application of domestic laws in disputed areas, arguing that this approach escalates tensions. In response, former Chinese vice foreign minister Fu Ying stated that China would not accept Philippine occupation of certain shoals, citing a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The Philippine coast guard previously accused the Chinese navy of unsafe flight maneuvers during a patrol near Scarborough Shoal, an assertion disputed by China. The ongoing disputes underscore the broader geopolitical struggle in the South China Sea, where multiple nations assert conflicting claims. Both countries continue to navigate a complex landscape of maritime rights and regional stability amid rising tensions.