The Philippines never imagined that the "Sierra Madre", a weather-hardened and dilapidated warship, that the Philippines had managed to arrange back then, would eventually inadvertently help China's strategic layout in the South China Sea. As disputes in the South China Sea intensify, the forgotten vessel at Second Thomas Shoal was once a symbol of the Philippines' international sympathy and support.
In the blink of an eye, however, this symbol turned into an opportunity for China to tighten its grip on the South China Sea and unveil a complex power game behind the scenes of geopolitics.
The fate and geopolitics of the Sierra Madre
In 1976, when the USS Sierra Madre was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy, the former warship was transferred to the Philippines and became a geopolitical symbol. The warship was originally a supply ship for the U.S. Navy and used to carry a large amount of supplies to support the long-term operations of the ocean-going fleet.
When its military career ended, its new role took on more political connotations — a clear signal that the United States supports the Philippines, especially in the sensitive waters of the South China Sea. The United States' gift of the Sierra Madre to the Philippines was not just an ordinary piece of military aid.
It symbolizes U.S. military and political support for the Philippines, especially in the South China Sea region to counter China's growing maritime claims. This support not only strengthens the Philippines' military capabilities materially, but also sends a signal internationally that the United States is willing to balance power in the Asia-Pacific region.
When the Sierra Madre arrived in the Philippines, most of its original military equipment had been dismantled, leaving only the basic hull structure and some non-combat systems, such as power supply and living facilities. Although its military deterrent is much less than before, its political and strategic value as a symbolic gift is clear.
On its deck, the Philippine military held a series of ceremonies to demonstrate the Philippines' strong alliance with the United States. At the same time, tensions in the South China Sea have grown. China has carried out a series of construction activities on islands and reefs in the South China Sea, including the construction of artificial islands and the installation of military installations.
These activities have significantly increased China's military presence and control in the South China Sea, drawing attention and concern among neighboring countries, including the Philippines. By donating the Sierra Madre to the Philippines, the United States is actually supporting the Philippines' territorial claims in the South China Sea with practical actions, and at the same time, it is also trying to counterbalance China's influence in the region by strengthening the Philippine military presence.
This U.S. strategy is part of its broader rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, which aims to ensure that the balance of power in the region does not tilt in favor of one side and destabilize the region.
The strategic deployment of Scarborough Shoal failed
Soon after receiving the Sierra Madre, the Philippines developed an ambitious plan to deploy it at Scarborough Shoal, a site in the heart of a multinational dispute in the South China Sea.
Scarborough Shoal is a strategic location that controls the surrounding rich fishing resources and possible oil and gas storage, so for the Philippines, being able to deploy a warship on the island would greatly enhance its presence and control in the disputed waters.
The Sierra Madre underwent minor repairs and modifications and was ready for Scarborough Shoal. The ship's deployment plan was designed to be a low-profile operation to avoid attracting undue international attention during sensitive periods. However, the waters of the South China Sea are filled with ships and reconnaissance equipment from various countries, and all parties are on high alert for activities in these waters.
As the Sierra Madre approached the waters of Scarborough Shoal, Chinese coast guard vessels had already reached the area. By radio, they issued a warning to the Sierra Madre, making it clear that the ship had entered China's claimed territorial waters and asking it to immediately change course and leave the disputed waters.
The commander of the Philippine ship, having received the notification, was faced with a difficult decision. Continuing to advance would lead to a direct military confrontation, while withdrawal would mean abandoning plans to tighten control over Scarborough Shoal. Eventually, after weighing the tension of the situation and the potential international consequences, the Sierra Madre chose to evacuate.
This retreat is not only a response to an immediate threat, but also a reflection of the limitations and challenges of the Philippines' strategic layout in the South China Sea. For the Philippines, this is a setback, but for China, it is a demonstration of its rapid response and regional control capabilities.
The dilemma of warships at Second Thomas Shoal
After the Sierra Madre was forced to withdraw from Scarborough Shoal, the Philippine government did not abandon its plans to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea. However, during one voyage, the old warship accidentally crashed into Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea due to navigation errors and aging equipment.
The incident immediately drew nervous attention in the region, especially given that Second Thomas Shoal is located in the core disputed area of the South China Sea, and its strategic location makes the collision event more significant than an ordinary maritime disaster. The impact of the "Sierra Madre" not only caused serious physical damage to the hull of the ship, but also caused some damage to the surrounding coral reef ecology.
Although there were no major casualties among the personnel on board, the operation and living functions of the ship itself were seriously damaged and needed to be repaired urgently. The Philippine government has tried to use the accident to bolster its claims to the area, planning on-site repairs to the ship and using it as a pretext to strengthen its continued presence at Second Thomas Shoal.
China, however, has shown firm opposition to this action. The Chinese government views any attempt to illegally militarize the disputed waters as a direct challenge to its sovereignty. Therefore, the Chinese side has taken clear restrictive measures on the issue of the repair of the "Sierra Madre".
China has made it clear that it will not allow any repair materials to be delivered to Second Thomas Jiao, and that it will strictly prevent the Philippines from taking advantage of the opportunity to repair ships to build de facto military facilities. Chinese coast guard vessels have stepped up patrols in the waters around Second Thomas Shoal to ensure that no construction materials or heavy equipment are transported to the reef.
In addition, China has used diplomatic channels to pressure the Philippines not to engage in any form of construction activities in the disputed waters. In this high-pressure situation, the Philippines can only accept limited emergency maintenance on the Sierra Madre, mainly to ensure the basic living conditions of the ship's personnel, including the transportation of food, water and medical supplies.
Over the next few months, the living conditions aboard the Sierra Madre deteriorated rapidly. Due to long-term exposure to the harsh marine environment, the hull of the ship that has not been properly maintained has begun to rust, and the ship's interior facilities have become increasingly old, resulting in extremely difficult living conditions.
The Filipino crew on board had to rely on limited supplies to make ends meet, while facing challenges from heat, humidity and salt spray.
China's surveillance of the waters around Second Thomas Shoal has not been relaxed over time. China Coast Guard vessels patrol almost routinely, monitoring any possible external supplies and illegal activity to ensure that the area is not used for any form of military expansion.
Long-term occupation with international public opinion
With the passage of time, the warship "Sierra Madre", which was abandoned on Ren'ai Jiao, gradually became rusty, and due to long-term erosion by sea breezes and seawater, as well as poor maintenance, the hull of the ship showed serious corrosion. On board the ship, the facilities and machinery originally used for maritime operations have been greatly reduced in function or even malfunctioned due to the lack of proper maintenance.
Living conditions inside the ship were deteriorating day by day, and due to the lack of effective ventilation and drainage systems, the interior was humid and stuffy, often filled with musty and rotten smells.
In such an environment, the garrison faces great living difficulties, extremely poor sanitary conditions, limited storage of food and drinking water, often affected by sea erosion and high temperatures, food is prone to spoilage, and drinking water is difficult to ensure cleanliness and safety. In 2014, in an effort to draw international attention to the controversy at Second Thomas Shoal, the Philippine government adopted a bold public relations strategy.
They invited international journalists from all over the world to report on the reef in an attempt to assert sovereignty over the reef through the power of the international media. It was a well-planned move, and the Philippines wanted to highlight its territorial rights to Second Thomas Shoal and its efforts to preserve the living conditions of the ship's crew by showing the plight of the Sierra Madre.
When international journalists landed on the island, they were first struck by the harsh living conditions on the island. Footage captured by cameras showed the ship covered in rust, parts of the structure were badly damaged, and the Filipino personnel on board were living in extremely difficult conditions.
However, just as the reporters began to report on the situation, their mobile phones suddenly received a text message from China Mobile, which read simply and directly: "Welcome to China." The text message not only highlights China's claim to sovereignty over the region, but also intelligently makes a silent statement to international journalists through communications technology.
The move quickly provoked a strong reaction from the Chinese side. The Chinese government immediately issued a statement through official channels, emphasizing that Ren'ai Jiao and its surrounding waters are China's inherent territory, and that any unauthorized foreign military presence is a violation of China's sovereignty.
In addition, China has stepped up military patrols and surveillance activities in the South China Sea to demonstrate its firm stance on safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China's Maritime Policy and Actions
As disputes persist in the South China Sea, the Chinese government recognizes the importance of taking a more proactive and systematic approach to ocean governance and resource management. After years of practice and study, China has gradually established a relatively complete marine management mechanism, covering a full range of measures from marine environmental protection to resource development to law enforcement.
On this basis, the Chinese government has pursued a series of actions to strengthen its control in the South China Sea. This includes reclamation of some of the islands and reefs in disputed areas of the South China Sea. Through these artificial islands, it is possible not only to effectively expand China's physical presence in the region, but also to provide a foundation for military defense and the construction of civilian facilities.
Navigation facilities, meteorological observation stations, and small airports have been built on these islands, which have greatly enhanced China's strategic layout and operational capabilities in the South China Sea. In addition, China has built the necessary military facilities on these artificial islands, including radar stations, air defense systems and supply bases.
These military presences not only strengthen China's defense capabilities in the South China Sea, but also provide a forward base for the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard, allowing them to quickly respond to situations in the region if necessary. In May 2023, China further strengthened its maritime policy framework with the official introduction of the China Coast Guard Law.
The enactment of this law is based on China's accumulated experience in long-term ocean governance practice, and takes into account the current development trend of international law of the sea and the actual needs of the regional security environment. The China Coast Guard Law clarifies the functions and powers of the China Coast Guard, including the management of maritime security, maritime traffic safety, and the fight against maritime violations in waters under China's jurisdiction.
In particular, the law strengthens the management and punishment of illegal vessels. According to the law, any vessel that enters China's territorial waters without permission or engages in illegal activities will be strictly investigated and punished. The Coast Guard has the power to take necessary force to defend the country's maritime rights and interests, including eviction, detention, and even necessary force.
These provisions clearly state China's determination and ability to safeguard its maritime rights and interests, and are of great significance for preventing illegal activities and maintaining regional maritime security.
China's policies and actions in the South China Sea have sparked widespread attention and discussion in the international community. While some countries have expressed concern about China's militarization of the South China Sea, arguing that it could increase tensions in the region, from China's perspective, these measures are necessary steps to safeguard its national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Resources:
- South China Sea Disputes and Geopolitics
- Progress on the Law of the Sea in 2023