Anurag Kumar
The United States called on China on Saturday to cease its “provocative and unsafe conduct” in the disputed South China Sea, where a Chinese coast guard ship recently nearly collided with a Philippine patrol vessel.
In a statement issued two days prior to President Joe Biden’s meeting with Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller described the incident as a reminder of China’s “harassment and intimidation” of Philippine vessels in the contested waterway.
“We demand that Beijing cease its provocative and dangerous behavior,” he said, adding that any attack on Philippine armed forces would prompt a US response.
The Sunday near-collision off the Spratly Islands was the most recent in a series of incidents between China and the Philippines in the contested waterway.
Beijing asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, despite a judgment by the international community that this claim is illegal.
After journalists were invited to accompany two Philippine Coast Guard boats on a six-day patrol of the waters, visiting a dozen islands and reefs, AFP was among the media outlets that witnessed the incident.
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In the Spratly archipelago, Philippine vessels approached Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ren’ai Jiao in China.
As a vessel carrying Filipino journalists, the BRP Malapascua, approached the shoal, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel more than twice its size sailed into its path.
From the other Philippine Coast Guard boat, which was less than one kilometer (0.6 miles) distant, AFP journalists observed the incident.
The commanding officer of the Malapascua stated that the Chinese ship arrived within 45 meters (50 yards) of his vessel, and only his quick actions prevented the steel-hulled vessels from colliding.
The Chinese foreign ministry stated on Friday that Philippine vessels had “intruded” into Chinese territory without permission and that this was a “premeditated and provocative action.”
Manila responded, stating that “routine patrols in our own waters cannot be premeditated or provocative” and insisting that the patrols will continue.
The near-miss occurred just one day after Marcos met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Manila to defuse tensions in the waterway.
Marcos has stated that he will not allow China to violate Philippine maritime rights, and he has gravitated toward the United States in an effort to strengthen defense ties.
This change has alarmed China, which accuses the United States of attempting to create a wedge between Beijing and Manila.
Marcos stated that he will discuss with Biden the “need to tone down the rhetoric” regarding the South China Sea, Taiwan, and North Korea.
