In a show of solidarity against China's assertive actions in the South China Sea, the Philippines and the United States have commenced three days of joint air and sea patrols. The exercise, which began on Tuesday and will run through Thursday, aims to deter Chinese probing in the region.

The joint patrols involve the Philippine Air Force and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and are taking place in the "West Philippine Sea," a name used by Manila for the portion of the South China Sea falling within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. This area has been subject to aggressive claims by Beijing over contested islands, reefs, and atolls in the Spratly Islands archipelago.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently made one of his strongest condemnations of China's actions, stating that they pose "persistent unlawful threats and challenges against Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdictions." Since taking office 17 months ago, the Marcos government has lodged numerous diplomatic protests with Beijing over the harassment of Filipino fishermen and coast guard vessels by the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia.

The Philippines has accused Chinese ships of aggressive behavior in multiple incidents near the Second Thomas Shoal, including the use of water cannons, setting up barricades, blockades, and even ramming. In one incident, a Philippine Coast Guard crew was temporarily blinded by a Chinese coast guard ship's laser. Each of these incidents has drawn strong responses from the U.S. State Department and President Joe Biden, who reaffirmed the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 and pledged military support against any attack on Filipino servicemembers in the South China Sea.

Despite these responses, Chinese pressure in the "gray zone"-activities that fall short of direct conflict-continues unabated. Observers in the region have expressed skepticism about the depth of Washington's commitment to defending Manila's de facto territories in the Spratlys. China's advancement in the area over the past decades has left the Philippines feeling disillusioned, especially since the Trump administration pledged support only in 2019, five years after the U.S. extended a similar commitment to Japan over the disputed Senkaku Islands.

China, asserting ownership over the entire South China Sea and its energy-rich territories, presents a challenge to neighboring states, including the Philippines and Vietnam. The U.S. has increasingly warned against acquiescing to Chinese control of critical maritime trade routes, which handle a significant portion of global shipping.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the U.S.-Philippines patrols should not infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. However, analysts believe that China's immediate objective is to prevent the Philippines from resupplying and repairing the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy warship grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 and used as an outpost. Beyond that, China aims to assert its control over the reef in the long term and convince the Philippines, as well as other claimants, to accept its claimed historic rights over the entire South China Sea.

While China's actions may not directly test America's resolve, experts suggest that they are inadvertently pushing the Philippines closer to the United States. Beijing's tactics, intended to exploit U.S. skepticism within Manila, may be backfiring and strengthening the "ring of containment" around China, which includes the U.S., South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

According to researchers, the Chinese navy frequently operates submarines in the depths of the South China Sea. This not only tests the U.S. military's limits but also uses their presence as an opportunity to train the People's Liberation Army and safeguard their underwater fleet movements.

The joint air and sea patrols between the Philippines and the U.S. serve as a clear message of deterrence, showcasing their commitment to protecting their interests and maintaining stability in the South China Sea. As tensions continue to simmer in the region, the impact and implications of these patrols will be closely watched.

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