It resulted in an encounter that lasted several hours before the Philippine ships turned back.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing remain high after the Philippines coast guard cut China’s barriers in disputed waters last month.

Manila resupplies its outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratly Islands, every month to reinforce its economic rights to waters that are both rich in fish and mineral resources.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratlys, which is also claimed in part by the Philippines.

  • @WhatAmLemmy
    49•9 months ago

    This is merely a precursor. Just wait until the broader resource wars kick off in the next 10-20 years.

    • We’re rapidly depleting fresh water reserves everywhere, from groundwater to glaciers.
    • Arable land is being squandered
    • There aren’t enough finite resources to convert the world to a zero carbon energy grid, whether the blocker is hard (not enough) or soft (extraction &/or refinement is economically unfeasible)

    There are probably going to be dozens of wars fought directly due to resource constraints in the next 50 years.