China’s recent deployment of bombers to Woody Island, the largest landmass in the Paracel chain, has sparked renewed tension in Southeast Asia. For Manila, already facing maritime harassment, the move signals a troubling escalation in the region’s power dynamics.
Manila Reacts to Escalation
Philippine officials didn’t hesitate to speak out. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro described China’s actions as part of a disturbing trend. He warned that trust between the two nations continues to erode and said that “intimidation will not build stability.” His remarks followed a series of recent confrontations that have tested diplomatic patience.
Tensions have already been high. A separate standoff near Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands last month saw Chinese ships tailing Philippine vessels during routine operations. Though Sandy Cay is just a tiny formation, its strategic location has made it a recurring flashpoint—part of a larger pattern that Manila believes is meant to wear down its maritime presence.
The Military Buildup on Woody Island
New satellite images confirmed on May 28 show H-6J bombers, along with several J-11 fighters, parked on Woody Island. These aircraft are capable of striking targets across nearly all of Southeast Asia, giving China a powerful platform in the heart of disputed waters.
Although the island has long hosted radar systems and missile launchers, the bomber deployment significantly expands Beijing’s strike range. State media described the move as part of “routine national defense operations.” But the optics of long-range bombers on contested land are hard to ignore.
Vietnam and Taiwan also claim Woody Island, but it’s China that has built extensive military infrastructure there.
At roughly 350 kilometers from Hainan, Woody Island sits deep within what China calls the Nine-Dash Line—a sweeping maritime boundary the international court rejected in 2016. Still, Beijing treats the island as a military hub, while other claimants see it as an increasingly aggressive foothold.
Philippines Defends Maritime Rights
On May 29, Manila pushed back against Chinese objections over patrol operations in Philippine waters. The foreign affairs department called Beijing’s claims baseless and reaffirmed that the Philippines has every right to operate within its exclusive economic zone.
This statement followed troubling reports from Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine ships endured laser flashes and water cannon blasts from Chinese vessels. Such incidents are becoming common, yet each one raises the potential for dangerous escalation.
Rather than backing off, the Philippines has strengthened defense cooperation with regional partners. Regular joint patrols with the United States, Japan, and Australia now serve both as deterrent and declaration: Manila intends to defend its waters.
