A Chinese Coast Guard vessel is pictured on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, March 29, 2014. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
By Bill Allison
(Bloomberg) –The US accused China of harassing Philippine ships and reaffirmed its defense commitment to the Philippines ahead of a visit to Washington by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The United States stands with the Philippines,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement, citing video from media reports of an incident in which two Chinese coast guard vessels blocked Philippine patrol boats in the vicinity of Ayungin shoal on April 23.
Related Article: Chinese And Philippine Coast Guards Nearly Collide
One of the ships carried out “dangerous maneuvers,” coming within 50 yards of the Southeast Asian nation’s boat, according to its coast guard, leading to a near collision.
An armed attack on Philippine armed forces, aircraft or naval vessels would trigger US defense commitments, according to the State Department statement, which said the US will continue to monitor the situation while calling on China to end the “provocative conduct” against Philippine ships on routine patrols in their exclusive economic zone.
Beijing has said that its maneuvers were “professional and restrained.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Friday that Philippine vessels were acting provocatively in an effort to blame China for the incident.
The two nations are locked in a territorial dispute over the resource-rich waters and Marcos has stepped up protests of China’s actions. Beijing has maintained that its presence in the area is legitimate, even after an international tribunal dashed its expansive sea claims in 2016.
Marcos’s government is strengthening its alliance with Washington, recently expanding US access to his nation’s military sites. He’s expected to discuss defense deals with President Joe Biden in a meeting next week.
© 2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,252 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
March 28 (Reuters) – The collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge has highlighted what engineers say is an urgent need to better protect the piers holding up spans over shipping channels as the size of cargo ships has...
By Andy Sullivan, Joseph Campbell and Gabriella Borter BALTIMORE, March 26 (Reuters) – A 948-foot container ship smashed into a four-lane bridge in the U.S. port of Baltimore in darkness early on Tuesday, causing it to collapse and...
The most severe US bridge allision since the Tampa Skyway Bridge disaster in 1980 happened in the early hours of the morning while the ship was under pilotage. Here are...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,252 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
