China’s Maritime Aggression: Bullying Tactics in the South China Sea

China’s Maritime Aggression: Bullying Tactics in the South China Sea

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | July 19, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has confirmed the removal of a Chinese floating structure from the contested Scarborough Shoal, following Manila’s diplomatic protest against Beijing’s “illegal” presence. Philippine authorities, conducting patrols on June 17, verified the platform’s absence within the shoal’s lagoon.

Manila asserts its “indivisible, incontrovertible, and longstanding sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc,” its term for Scarborough Shoal. It maintains that only the Philippines possesses the right to construct structures or conduct activities, including marine scientific research, within the shoal and its territorial waters.

China’s Foreign Ministry, however, reiterates Beijing’s “indisputable sovereignty” over the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, and its adjacent waters. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated on June 17 that the floating structure was part of a “comprehensive research” program in the South China Sea, asserting that these activities fall within China’s sovereign rights, beyond the purview of other nations. China previously identified the structure as a temporary scientific research facility from its South China Sea Institute of Oceanology.

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines has intensified its pushback against China’s expansive claims in the resource-rich waterway, frequently leading to maritime clashes. China seized de facto control of Scarborough Shoal after a 2012 standoff and has since militarized other contested reefs to reinforce its sweeping claims.

Further escalating tensions, China recently sanctioned Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, accusing him of damaging bilateral ties through his remarks on the territorial disputes.

Escalating Tensions: China’s Bullying Tactics in the South China Sea

The South China Sea has become a flashpoint of geopolitical tension, with the Philippines and China locked in a volatile dispute over maritime claims. At the core of the conflict is the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and China’s assertive, historical sovereignty claims over nearly the entire strategic waterway, disregarding the Philippines’ 2016 international tribunal victory.

Core Flashpoints: A Landscape of Confrontation

The dispute manifests in several highly contested maritime features:

Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc)

A critical fishing ground west of Luzon, under de facto Chinese control since 2012. Recent provocations include the installation of Chinese maritime research structures, prompting diplomatic protests from Manila and raising environmental and resource appropriation concerns.

Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal)

 A vital site where the Philippine Navy maintains a symbolic presence aboard the BRP Sierra Madre. This location is a frequent theater of confrontation, with the Chinese Coast Guard employing aggressive tactics, including blockades and water cannons, to impede Philippine resupply missions—acts widely condemned as dangerous and illegal.

Sabina Shoal (Escoda Shoal)

An emerging flashpoint off the Philippine coast. This shoal has recently seen direct vessel rammings and close-quarters blockades by both nations’ coast guards, signaling a dangerous expansion of direct confrontation.

Tactics and the Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

China’s strategy relies on “gray zone” operations, deploying its vast coast guard fleet and state-directed maritime militias, often employing powerful water cannons. These tactics assert control without overtly crossing the threshold of military conflict, creating persistent harassment and intimidation.

In response, President Marcos Jr.’s administration has strategically pivoted, bolstering alliances and conducting joint naval patrols with key partners like the United States, Japan, and other regional allies. This forging of international partnerships aims to counter China’s assertiveness and reinforce international law.

Despite attempts at de-escalation, including hotlines, diplomatic relations remain severely strained. Fundamental differences in interpreting agreements and unwavering sovereignty claims continue to fuel a deteriorating bilateral relationship, pushing the region closer to a dangerous precipice.

The unfolding events in the South China Sea represent a critical challenge to regional stability and international maritime law. The escalating confrontations, coupled with China’s consistent disregard for the 2016 tribunal ruling, underscore the urgent need for a peaceful resolution while simultaneously highlighting the growing imperative for regional alliances to uphold a rules-based international order. The world watches as this complex dispute continues to redefine the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific.

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