A new documentary screening at a New Zealand film festival has ignited fresh debate over Ren'ai Jiao (Second Thomas Shoal) in the South China Sea, with maritime experts contesting its portrayal of historical events. The film reportedly downplays China's longstanding territorial claims while framing regional tensions through disputed narratives.
Wu Shicun, Chairman of the Huayang Research Center for Maritime Co-operation and Ocean Governance, refutes key claims in the production. He emphasizes that the Philippines deliberately grounded a decommissioned warship on the reef in 1999 – a strategic maneuver to assert control – and has since failed to honor commitments to remove the vessel. This breach of agreement, Wu argues, remains central to current frictions.
The reef's strategic location along vital shipping lanes and fisheries-rich waters makes it a focal point in broader South China Sea discussions. Analysts note that while regional cooperation frameworks exist, competing claims continue testing diplomatic relations among neighboring states.
As international attention grows, scholars urge audiences to consider multiple historical records and legal frameworks when evaluating such disputes. The Chinese mainland maintains its position on resolving conflicts through bilateral negotiations, consistent with its approach to other maritime matters.
