China uses `human wave strategy` in island row with Phils

China has used a "human wave strategy" that it used in the Korean War to scare off the Philippines from Scarborough Shoal, an island in the South China Sea. Hong Kong critics described it as the “wolf pack” tactic, which attacks a target by surrounding it.

Beijing has sent up to 97 vessels including official patrol boats and even private fishing boats to put pressure on the Philippines from early April, the Hong Kong-based Phoenix Satellite Television said recently.

The Philippine government said in a statement made May 23, “On May 14, China sent five government ships, 16 fishing boats and 56 multi-purpose boats to the disputed area. On May 22, the number of multi-purpose boats increased to 76.” The disputed sea saw as many as 97 Chinese vessels.

On April 11, 12 Chinese fishing vessels and two Chinese patrol boats were there to stop a Philippine naval ship from arresting them. While preventing the naval vessel from capturing them by sending patrol boats alternately, China increased the number of private fishing boats to dominate the disputed area and block Philippine fishing boats.

A Phoenix TV critic said, “It reminds me of the wolf pack tactic, which the Nazis surrounded with submarines a U.S. vessel heading for the U.K.”

China seems to have strengthened its position in disputed areas by using private vessels such as fishing boats instead of using military vessels, which could provoke the U.S. and neighboring countries.

Phoenix said such tactic did not bring Beijing victory but at least put it on higher ground. In this context, voices argue, China could use a similar tactic in territorial disputes with other neighboring countries including Korea.

Scarborough Shoal is a small coral reef island in the South China Sea that is effectively governed by the Philippines. It is 230 kilometers from the Philippines’ Luzon Island and 1,200 kilometers from the Chinese island of Hainan.

Beijing and Manila have disputed the sovereignty of the island through military threats. Bilateral tension is mounting after a nearby area was found to have many underground resources such as natural gas.

mungchii@donga.com