The United States and several of its allies have criticized China for dangerous actions by Chinese coast guard vessels that collided with Philippine coast guard vessels in the South China Sea. The incident occurred near the Sabina Shoal, with both Beijing and Manila blaming each other for the collisions. U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel condemned China’s actions against “lawful Philippine maritime operations,” stating that Chinese ships deliberately collided with two Philippine Coast Guard ships, causing damage and endangering the crew onboard.
The collision took place about 20 nautical miles southeast of the Escoda Shoal, which is part of the South China Sea referred to as the West Philippine Sea by the Philippines. This incident has reignited geopolitical tensions between China and the Philippines after a temporary agreement was reached at Second Thomas Shoal in July. Earlier this month, the Philippines announced it would file a diplomatic protest against China after two Chinese fighter jets deployed flares in front of a Philippine patrol plane.
Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general at the National Security Council of the Philippines, confirmed that two Philippine coast guard patrol boats were rammed by Chinese coast guard vessels during a resupply mission for outposts in Spratly Islands. Patel called these actions examples of China using dangerous measures to enforce its unlawful South China Sea maritime claims and urged them to abide by international law.
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and UK have also condemned China’s recent maritime actions. Ambassadors from these countries expressed their concerns over escalating tensions caused by such maneuvers that undermine efforts to de-escalate conflicts in the South China Sea.
In response to this collision incident on Tuesday, Alexander Lopez from Manila’s maritime council expressed serious concern over deliberate harassment and infringement on Filipino sovereignty by China in the South China Sea. In July, U.S senators Jim Risch and Roger Wicker sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing their concerns about Chinese aggression towards the Philippines in this region.
The lawmakers requested information regarding military options developed by relevant departments to support deterrence against further escalation by PRC (People’s Republic of China).