Criticism Of China's Actions Against The Philippines In The South China Sea, United States: Damaging Regional Stability

China's coast guard ship fired water cannons at the Philippine ship. (Twitter/@jaytaryela)

JAKARTA - The United States has criticized China for interfering in Philippine maritime operations and undermining regional stability, urging Beijing to stop its "dangerous and destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea, after ships from the two countries collided in the disputed area last weekend.

The latest incident occurred at a long-disputed location between the two countries, the uninhabited Second Thomas Shoal in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. It is called Ayungin Shoal in Filipino and Ren'ai Jiao in Chinese, part of the Spratly Islands.

Manila has stationed its military on an old warship that was deliberately grounded in the region in 1999, to protect its maritime claims there. Regular supply missions are sent to provide logistical support and military needs there.

"Obstructing supply lines to these outposts and disrupting the Philippines' legitimate maritime operations would undermine regional stability," said United States Department of State spokesman Matthew Miller in a December 10 statement shared by the US Embassy in Manila on Monday, reported by Reuters December 11.

The United States has asked China to comply with a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated its major claims in the South China Sea.

Regular RORE to BRP SIERRA MADRE this morning. BRP CABRA, Unaizah Mae 1, and M/L Kalayaan water cannoned by China Coast Guard. M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel. pic.twitter.com/wOt55KVu8k

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) December 10, 2023

The United States also reiterated its support for treaty ally, the Philippines, reaffirming its commitment to the mutual defense pact between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. separately said the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels and maritime militia in his country's waters was illegal and their actions against Filipinos were a direct violation of international law.

The Philippines has further strengthened its resolve to defend and protect its sovereign rights in the South China Sea amid China's "aggression and provocations," wrote President Marcos Jr. on social media X on Sunday night

"We remain undeterred," wrote President Marcos Jr.

As previously reported, the Philippine coast guard accused China of firing water cannons and ramming a supply ship and a coast guard vessel, causing "serious engine damage" to one of the vessels, while the Chinese coast guard said the Philippine vessel deliberately rammed its vessel.

On Saturday, the Philippines accused China of carrying out "illegal and aggressive actions", firing water cannon at a civilian-operated government fishing vessel, an action Beijing called a legitimate "control measure".

In Sunday's incident, China's coast guard said in a statement, two Philippine vessels, ignoring repeated warnings, "illegally entered waters adjacent to the Ren'ai Reef in the Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government."

Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu called on the Philippines to stop "provocative actions", saying China would continue to carry out "law enforcement activities" in its waters.

On the other hand, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela posted on social media platform.