China has recently made public an alleged unwritten agreement from 2016 with the Philippines regarding access to South China Sea islands, which has the potential to escalate tensions in the disputed region. The agreement, as claimed by China, allowed for small-scale fishing around the islands while restricting access by military and official ships and planes to the 12 nautical mile limit of territorial waters.
The Philippines had reportedly respected this agreement for seven years but is now accused by China of reneging on it for its own political motives. This alleged breach has led to ongoing disputes between the two nations in the South China Sea.
Both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte have denied any agreements that would compromise Philippine sovereignty. However, Duterte had hinted at such an agreement during his term, which was allegedly aimed at securing fishing access for Philippine fishermen at Scarborough Shoal.
China's statement relies on Duterte's verbal claims, as there is no official document to support their case. President Marcos, who took office in 2022, has stated that he was not aware of any secret agreement and has declared his intention to rescind it if it exists.
The South China Sea dispute involves multiple countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei, with overlapping claims in the region rich in resources. China has refused to acknowledge a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated its expansive claims in the area.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated, with incidents of Chinese coast guard vessels firing water cannons at Philippine patrol ships. The U.S., as a treaty ally of the Philippines, has reiterated its commitment to defend the country in case of armed attacks, including in the South China Sea.
