Why in News? Sierra Madre, an old Philippine ship is fueling China-Philippine tensions.

What is Sierra Madre? It's a 100ft-long landing ship commissioned by the US in 1944 during World War II. US used it in Vietnam War (1954-75) and then transferred it to Philippines in 1976. Philippines left the ship on Second Thomas Shoal (part of Spratly islands) to halt further Chinese assertions in the area as China laid claims on nearby Mischief reefs. China is continuously demanding the removal of this largely dilapidated and rusting ship. But, for Philippines, ship’s removal would weaken its claims over the islands and strengthen Chinese presence.

What is the battle over Spratly islands? For decades, regional countries have extended overlapping claims over the South China Sea, its islands like Spratly and Paracel, its rich oil and gas reserves and fishing waters. Disputes over Spratly islands gradually escalated under former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and culminated in 2012 when China took effective control of disputed Scarborough Shoal after a tense standoff. In this case, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favour of Philippines and ruled that “areas not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China, are within Exclusive Economic Zone of Philippines”. China rejected this ruling.

Response of US- The US, which regards Philippines as an important strategic ally, has supported Philippines. In May 2023, the two countries agreed on new guidelines to a 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty which reaffirm that “an armed attack in the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea, on either of their public vessels, aircraft, or armed forces (including Coast Guards) would invoke mutual defense commitments”. US also supported Manila when it summoned China’s Deputy Chief of Mission for Chinese navy’s “aggressive actions” against a resupply mission.