On Wednesday, June 19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo to discuss China’s escalated actions in the South China Sea targeting the Philippines.
According to a statement released by the US State Department on Wednesday, Manila and Washington both agreed that China’s actions on Monday, June 17 to prevent the Philippines from conducting legitimate maritime activities in the South China Sea were “dangerous and irresponsible.”
On Monday, a collision occurred between Chinese and Philippine vessels at Reed Bank, a disputed area in the South China Sea. The Philippine military stated that the Chinese coast guard intentionally collided with a Philippine supply ship, resulting in a Filipino navy sailor being “seriously injured.”
In a statement, the Chinese coast guard claimed that the responsibility for the collision incident lies entirely with the Philippines, while the Philippine military vowed to resist China’s actions in disputed waters. Tensions in the South China Sea disputed area have escalated rapidly between the two parties.
Blinken condemned China’s actions as undermining regional peace and stability, and reiterated the United States’ strong commitment to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
The statement mentioned that Blinken and Manalo also exchanged views on making progress on shared concerns based on recent high-level bilateral engagements during their phone call.
The UK, Canada, and the US were among the first to condemn China’s escalation, which coincided with the enforcement of Beijing’s new Administrative Measures for Coast Guard Law Enforcement on June 15. The rule allows the Chinese coast guard to detain illegal entrants without trial.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including Second Thomas Shoal where the BRP Sierra Madre, a stranded Philippine military vessel since 1999, is located.
Since taking office two years ago, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has taken a more assertive stance in defending national sovereignty, leading to a rapid deterioration in relations between Manila and Beijing.
The Philippines has a longstanding security alliance with the United States. Marcos Jr has opened new military facilities to the US, expanded US-Philippine joint military exercises, and improved ties with US allies such as Japan and Australia.