China should stop its “unacceptable” harassment of Philippine ships in the South China Sea, a senior US official said on Wednesday, pledging that Washington will stand with its staunch ally against any bullying by Beijing in the disputed waterway.
The comments by Daniel Kritenbrink, Under Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, come shortly after a near collision between Philippine and Chinese vessels and as Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does he first official visit by a Philippine president to Washington in more than a decade.
“This is really a very important issue, and we remain deeply concerned by the PRC’s ongoing intimidation and harassment of Philippine ships while they are conducting routine patrols within the Philippine exclusive economic zone,” Kritenbrink told reporters in an online press conference from the White House.
“You have such actions that are truly unacceptable. We stand with the Philippines against the continued infringement and harassment by the Chinese coast guard.”
On April 23, two Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships Philippine patrol boats intercepted and “displayed aggressive tactics” near Second Thomas Shoal, known locally as Ayungin Shoal, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
At one point, CCG 5201 came within 50 yards (46 meters) of a Philippine ship, it said. Another Chinese Coast Guard ship “persistently followed BRP Malabrigo” at a distance of 700 yards (640 meters).
Beijing has said that Philippine ships invaded the waters near Ren’ai Reef, the Chinese name for Ayungin Shoal, and had come dangerously close to a Chinese ship.
China has competing claims in the South China Sea with the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and against the broad “nine-point line” by which Beijing asserts its maritime claims in the strategic waterway, but China has refused to recognize the ruling.
kritenbrink said that the US continue to monitor China’s “provocative” conduct in the South China Sea.
“But most importantly, we will continue to support our Philippine allies and we will continue to operate together,” he said.
The US has pledged to defend the Philippines in the event of any armed attack against its public military ships or aircraft under the 1951 US Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty.
During the digital press conference, Kritenbrink also responded to claims by Chinese officials that the US is dragging Manila into a potential conflict over Taiwan by allowing more US access to local bases under a Cooperative Agreement. of Enhanced Defense of 2014.
“The fact that friends in Beijing are issuing a statement somehow expressing concern about that, I think it’s not worth it, but it’s also kind of puzzling,” he said. “I am sure that the United States and the Philippines share the vision of a peaceful and stable region.
“We support the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose unilateral efforts to change the status quo by either party and insist that trait differences be resolved peacefully. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is a matter of international concern.”
Marcos’ visit to the United States signals improving bilateral ties after his immediate predecessor Rodrigo Duterte cultivated warmer relations with Beijing.
Marcos and US President Joe Biden discussed a wide range of issues in Washington earlier this week, including food security, climate change, trade and investment, and defense cooperation.
On Tuesday, Washington announced that it intended to transfer two Island-class and two Protector-class patrol vessels and three C-130Hs to help the Philippines modernize its maritime and tactical lift capabilities.
BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news organization.
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