U.S. officials demanded the Chinese coast guard on Sunday “desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in the South China Sea following clashes with Philippine vessels.
Driving the news: State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement condemned what he said were “reckless maneuvers” on Saturday and Sunday against the Filipino crews on supply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine service members are stationed.
- This included the use of water cannons and the “forcing” of a collision, “causing damage to Philippine vessels undertaking official supply missions to those locations, and jeopardizing the safety” of the Filipino crew, he said.
- “Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippines maritime operations undermines regional stability.”
Why it matters: The comments are likely to anger Chinese officials, who claim territorial sovereignty over the region despite an international court ruling that it has no basis in law.
- President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jingping raised hopes that U.S.-China relations were improving after years of tension when they announced at last month’s APEC summit in San Francisco the resumption of military-to-military communications between the two countries.
Source : Axios
