The Philippines’ responses to Chinese gray zone operations triggered by the 2021 passage of China’s New Coast Guard Law and the Whitsun Reef standoff

Abstract

This article scrutinizes the Philippines’ strong reactions to the Chinese gray zone operations in the South China Sea, particularly during the Whitsun Reef stand-off in March 2021. Despite the Duterte Administration’s appeasement policy toward China, these gray zone operations have remained unabated since 2016. They were exacerbated by the passage of the China Coast Guard (CCG) law in January 2021. Initially, Philippine officials downplayed these developments but eventually realized that China was gradually gaining control of the disputed waters in the South China Sea without firing a single shot. To counter these Chinese maritime gambits legitimized by the CCG law, the Philippines has lodged diplomatic protests, demonstrated its modest naval capabilities, and capitalized on the assurance of U.S. defense and security commitments to a long-time Southeast Asian ally. Through these measures, the Philippines stands up to China to subvert its intimidating gray zone operations that aim to render contending states helpless, submissive, and inactive.