WASHINGTON: The United States (US) has accused China of harassing and intimidating the Philippines’ vessels in the South China Sea, prompting a warning that the US would respond if there was an attack on Philippine security forces or vessels. The US State Department has called on Beijing to desist from its “provocative and unsafe conduct.”
The statement was issued just two days before President Joe Biden is set to welcome his Filipino counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Washington, DC.
The US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said in the statement, “The United States (US) stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules and reaffirms that an attack in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea, on Philippine armed forces, aircraft, or public vessels, including those of the Coast Guard, would invoke the United States’ mutual defence commitments.”
The response was prompted by a near-collision between Chinese and Philippines vessels off the Spratly Islands.
Philippines accuses China of aggressive actions
The Philippines accused China of “aggressive tactics” by Chinese Coast Guards after an incident occurred when the Philippines Coast Guard patrol reached close to the Philippines-controlled Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly archipelago, a flashpoint for previous altercations.
The Second Thomas Shoal region is hosting a few military personnel on a rusty World War II-era US ship that was grounded in 1999 to reassert the territorial claims of the Philippines.
Back in February, the Philippines claimed a Chinese ship had directed a “military-grade laser” at one of its vessels.
China claims its territorial independence and sovereignty in the South China Sea. Chinese foreign ministry stated that the Philippine boats had “intruded” without China’s permission and regarded it a “premeditated and provocative action”.
Manila responded that “Routine patrols in our own waters can be neither premeditated nor provocative and will continue to conduct the patrols.”
Philippine President Marcos said he would not let Beijing undermine his country’s rights in the sea and has gravitated towards the US as he is eyeing to strengthen defence cordiality with Washington.
The US has been increasing its military presence in the region in a bid to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
The latest incident has further escalated tensions in the South China Sea and underscores the ongoing territorial disputes in the region, which have been a source of contention between China and its neighbours for years.
