The US has criticized Beijing’s “irresponsible maneuvers”.
The US has called on China to halt its actions after a Chinese and Philippine ship collided on Sunday.
Repeated incidents: A Chinese Coast Guard ship crosses a Philippine Coast Guard ship in the South China Sea (December 1, 2023).
Photo: Aaron Favila (Keystone)
The United States strongly condemned Beijing after a Chinese ship and a Philippine ship collided in the South China Sea. China must stop its “dangerous and disruptive behavior,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in Washington on Sunday.
Sunday’s clash occurred during a Philippine supply mission to a small military post on the Second Thomas Reef in the Spratly Islands. On Saturday, Manila had already accused Beijing of forcibly cutting off supplies to fishermen in waters claimed by both countries.
Chinese ships used water cannons on both days and “reckless maneuvers” that endangered the safety of Filipino crews, Miller explained. The United States stands “by the side of our Filipino allies.”
Mutual accusations
Manila and Beijing blamed each other in both cases. On Sunday, Philippine officials said Chinese ships “harassed, intercepted and conducted dangerous maneuvers” on two Philippine supply ships. A Chinese Coast Guard ship “hit” one of the supply ships. A supply ship’s engine was “severely damaged” by the use of water cannon.
However, the Chinese Coast Guard blamed the Philippine vessel for the collision. The Philippine vessel initially ignored several clear warnings and then “suddenly” changed course and collided with a coast guard vessel.
China claims the South China Sea as its own
China claims the entire South China Sea. Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also claim parts of the sea area, which is strategically and economically very important to neighboring states. The International Court of Arbitration in The Hague declared some Chinese claims illegal in 2016. However, China did not recognize this ruling.
In 2012, China claimed Scarborough Reef. Since then, Beijing has sent patrol boats to the area, which Manila says prevents Philippine fishing boats from entering the lagoon’s fish-rich waters.
The Philippines operates outposts on several reefs and islands in the Spratly Islands. The area is about 200 kilometers from the Philippine island of Palawan and 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest mainland, Hainan Island.
SDA/wy
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