Washington has accused China of threatening and harassing Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, prompting the US to warn that it will respond if any attack on Philippine security forces or vessels occurs.
The US has also urged China to halt its “provocative” actions in the South China Sea.
On Saturday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “We urge Beijing to cease its provocative and dangerous behavior.” This statement comes just two days before President Joe Biden is scheduled to host Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Washington, DC.
Miller emphasized, “The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms that an armed attack in the Pacific, including the South China Sea, on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, such as those of the Coast Guard, would trigger US mutual defense commitments.”
The response followed a close encounter between Chinese and Philippine vessels near the Spratly Islands.
On Friday, the Philippines accused Beijing of employing “aggressive tactics” by Chinese Coast Guard vessels after an incident in which a Philippine Coast Guard patrol approached the Philippines-held Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly archipelago, a location 105 nautical miles (195 km) from its coast that has previously been a flashpoint for conflicts.
The Second Thomas Shoal houses a small number of military personnel on an aging World War Two-era US ship grounded in 1999 to reinforce the Philippines’ territorial claims.
In February, the Philippines reported that a Chinese ship had aimed a “military-grade laser” at one of its resupply vessels.
China maintains that it has territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea.
On Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry stated that the Philippine boats had “intruded” without China’s permission and considered it a “deliberate and provocative action.”
In response, Manila argued, “Routine patrols in our waters can be neither premeditated nor provocative, and we will continue to conduct these patrols.”
Philippine President Marcos has declared that he will not allow Beijing to undermine his country’s rights in the sea and is leaning toward the US as he seeks to strengthen defense ties with Washington.
