A STEEL-HULLED Chinese boat that ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines' Sulu Sea has caused a stir in Manila since April 8. It has also sparked an angry debate between Beijing and Manila over the rival bids to legalize their claims on the disputed Spratlys Islands. The proximity of a Chinese fishing boat near the disputed islands does not augur well for détente. Already Manila is disquieted by the fact that China is dragging its feet in resolving the Spratlys issue and here is a mystery fishing boat on its doorstep. China, meanwhile, raised the stakes in the debate by accusing the Philippines of trying to legalize its occupation of islands in the South China Sea, repeating that Beijing would never agree to international arbitration. The Philippines in January angered China by asking a UN tribunal to order a halt to Beijing's activities that it said violated Philippine sovereignty over the islands. Claims by China over most of the South China Sea have set it directly against Vietnam and the Philippines. Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia also claim parts of the waters and China has a separate dispute with Japan in the East China Sea. The incident of the boat running aground on the reef caused a flutter earlier this month. The 12-man crew of the alleged fishing boat had reportedly told the Philippine Coast Guard, who pulled the stricken fishing vessel from the protected site a week ago, that they had lost their way while en route to China after fishing off the Indonesia coast. Although the explanation was not necessarily implausible, it did raise some doubts. Some asked a simple question: "Why is a Chinese fishing boat in the Sulu Sea?", while others too questioned the explanation. It not only raised doubts. Some in Manila questioned the fact whether the boat named Ming Long Yu is a fishing vessel. This doubt emanated after it was established that it was not loaded with ice, which is normal to a fishing operation. Many also touted that the alleged fishing boat had "no equipment for and facilities for fish storage such as ice makers and refrigerated holds." This further raised speculations, in some official quarters, that the boat's crew may not be fishermen at all and that the boat was on a different mission other than fishing. In addition to the incident, officials from the Chinese Embassy in Manila tried to help the crew. They flew to Palawan and later explained that the incident was an accident and that the crew should be freed. But the embassy officials added to the mystery by saying that they had no role to play in helping Manila extricate the fishing boat, and that the owner was a private company and the embassy did not know how to contact the firm. That answer was not very plausible as the Chinese diplomat could have asked the crew how to contact the company that owned the boat. Under ordinary circumstances, the incident wouldn't have caused any worry to Philippine authorities. But China has been at odds with the Philippines over their overlapping claims over small islands in the South China Sea. This new incident would add to Philippine's belief that China's claims are once again being bolstered by hegemonic aspirations. Beijing now needs to clear the air by reaching out to Manila and smooth things over. With the extrication of the distressed ship, Beijing and Manila must ensure a positive deal on the fate of the fishermen and thus easing maritime tensions.
