Philippine Standoff Intensifies: China’s Amphibious Assault Ships Deployed to Disputed Shoal

The South China Sea simmers with renewed tension as China deployed its most advanced amphibious warship, the Type 075 landing helicopter dock, near the contested Sabina Shoal.

This deployment, as reported by USNI News on Tuesday, June 18, follows a two-month standoff between Chinese and Philippine forces in the area and marks a significant escalation in the regional power struggle.

Shadow of the Type 075

Satellite imagery first captured the warship’s presence on June 12, casting a long shadow over the already tense situation.

The timing coincides with a recently enacted Chinese law empowering their Coast Guard to detain individuals deemed to be trespassing in their claimed waters for up to 60 days.

China’s Type 075 LHD rushed to Sabina Shoal. pic.twitter.com/veEDpACVqW

— Duan Dang (@duandang) June 16, 2024

This move has sent shivers down spines across Southeast Asia, raising concerns about the future of freedom of navigation in the crucial waterway.

Flashpoint: Sabina Shoal

Sabina Shoal, a speck of land just 72 nautical miles (83 miles) from the Philippine island of Palawan, represents a critical flashpoint in the ongoing territorial dispute.

The Philippines considers it well within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a vital fishing ground and a potential source of undersea resources.

China, however, claims the shoal as its sovereign territory, a stance vehemently contested by Manila.

Tensions flared in April when the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, anchored near the shoal to deter what they claimed were Chinese attempts at land reclamation.

Beijing, unsurprisingly, dismissed these claims as “sheer rumors.”

Show of Force: The Type 075’s Message

Analysts view the deployment of the Type 075, a 36,000-ton behemoth capable of transporting up to 1,200 troops and a formidable arsenal of amphibious vehicles and helicopters, as a calculated show of force by China.

Ben Lewis, a Defense Analyst specializing in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), told USNI News that the arrival of Type 075 provides Chinese forces with a “significant capability” to uphold their expansive maritime claims and demonstrates “Beijing’s resolve to continue to assert its sweeping territorial claims” in the South China Sea.

From Standoff to Injury: A Grim Reminder

This aggressive move follows hot on the heels of the most serious encounter between the Philippines and China to date.

A tense standoff at Second Thomas Shoal just days ago resulted in a Philippine service member being critically injured and multiple vessels sustaining damage.

LOOK | The China Coast Guard’s coercive, aggressive, and barbaric actions during the humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on June 17, resulted in severe damage to AFP vessels, including their communication and navigation equipment. pic.twitter.com/bhQ0Bzr9yK

— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) June 19, 2024

The incident served as a stark reminder of the fragile peace in the region and the potential for a full-blown military confrontation.

Crammed in the middle by two CCG boats is an AFP Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) which was forcibly surrounded, dragged and eventually towed away from BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) with the intention to isolate it from the rest of the Filipino troops. pic.twitter.com/1kZRx3Lvay

— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) June 19, 2024

The ramifications of China’s recent actions extend far beyond the immediate dispute at Sabina Shoal.

The deployment of the Type 075 sends a chilling message to other claimants in the region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, who also have contested territories within the South China Sea.

It’s a calculated move to intimidate and coerce these nations into submission.

An Uncertain Future: Diplomacy or Conflict?

The international community is watching with growing unease.

The United States, which has long maintained a strong naval presence in the region to ensure freedom of navigation, is likely to respond by bolstering its own deployments.

This could lead to a dangerous game of tit-for-tat between the world’s two superpowers, further escalating tensions in an already volatile region.

The future of the South China Sea hangs in the balance. China’s aggressive actions threaten to disrupt the fragile peace and stability that has prevailed for decades. Whether diplomacy can prevail or if the situation descends into open conflict remains to be seen.

One thing is certain – the stakes in the South China Sea have never been higher.

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Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.