Global Times questions Philippine sovereignty over Batanes Islands — Taipei Times
Chinese outlet Global Times has circulated a claim that Philippine sovereignty over the Batanes Islands is allegedly questionable from historical and legal perspectives. As Taipei Times reports, Beijing has not officially laid claim to Batanes, but the columnist believes such publications are used to pressure Manila.
Global Times said the islands have longstanding historical ties with Taiwan and that China allegedly has legal grounds for claims. The Strategist, an analytical website of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, believes that this stated claim may currently be a tool of diplomatic and legal pressure. In its view, it could be used to hinder negotiations between Japan and the Philippines on their maritime boundary and to strengthen cognitive influence on Taiwan.
Strategic location of the islands
The Batanes Islands are located south of Taiwan in the Bashi Channel, while Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture lies north of Taiwan, beyond the Miyako Strait. Japan and the Philippines are US treaty allies, and these geographical positions make it possible to monitor the movement of Chinese naval forces along the first island chain. According to the author’s assessment, these areas are also important for a potential defense of Taiwan or an attack on it.
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The columnist notes that China is increasing the activity of its naval and air forces in the region. The Chinese coast guard has also intensified its operations, while the maritime militia supports the navy and coast guard by maneuvering in large groups. Separately, China has increased pressure on Japan in the dispute over the Senkaku Islands, which are called Diaoyutai in China and Taiwan.
Disputed waters and cooperation
China claims most of the South China Sea, citing the ten-dash line. In July 2016, an arbitral tribunal under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ruled that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to resources beyond the rights provided by the convention in the area of the nine-dash line.
According to Taipei Times, China has in recent months conducted research near Scarborough Shoal, in the Bashi Channel and off Taiwan’s eastern coast. The author suggests that such research could provide the Chinese navy with data useful in a potential blockade or invasion scenario. Against this backdrop, Japan and the Philippines are strengthening their defense capabilities and military cooperation, while Taiwan maintains contacts with both countries.
