Why the Philippines captured Chinese fishermen

On May 6, 11 Chinese fishermen aboard the fishing boat Qiongqionghai 09063 were seized by the Philippines police while fishing in waters off China's Half Moon Shoal.

Considering the international background, motivation and the details of the event, it is clear that the incident was orchestrated by the government of the Philippines with the following nine purposes.

First is to sound out the attitude of the U.S. government. During Barack Obama's visit to the Philippines in late April, the two sides signed the "Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement" (EDCA), a 10-year defense pact that seeks to expand the presence of U.S. forces in the Philippines. At present, the two countries are busy carrying out their "shoulder to shoulder" military drill. Provoking China at this moment, the Philippine government is eager to put the U.S. promise of protecting its allies into practice.

Second is to "obtain proof" for its international arbitration attempt in the South China Sea. On March 30, the Philippines filed a formal plea to an international tribunal on the South China Sea dispute. If the court approves its right of jurisdiction, the case will move to the certification stage. Seizing Chinese fishermen in waters off the Half Moon Shoal is in line with the Philippines' indictment.

Third is to tighten control over its illegally occupied isles and reefs in China's Nansha (Spratly) Islands. Currently, the Philippines has illegally occupied eight isles and reefs in the Nansha Islands, including Mahuan Island (Nanshan Island), Feixin Island (Flat Island), Zhongye Island (Thitu Island), Nanyue Island (Loaita Island), Beizi Island (Northeast Cay), Xiyue Island (West York Island), Shuanghuang Shazhou (Loaita Nan) and Siling Reef (Commodore Reef). In order to prevent China from regaining those places, the Philippines has repeatedly attempted to enlarge the disputed area, and continued to strengthen its military deployment on the eight isles and reefs in recent years.