In response to the collision incident between Chinese and Filipino vessels, the US State Department issued a statement on Monday (August 19), condemning the intentional collision by China which caused damage to the Filipino vessel. The State Department urged China to stop its “dangerous” behavior in the South China Sea.
The US State Department stated that the US stands with its ally the Philippines, condemning China’s “dangerous actions taken on August 19 against the Philippines’ lawful maritime operations in the South China Sea”.
The State Department condemned the Chinese vessels for “reckless actions, deliberately colliding with two vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard, causing structural damage and endangering the safety of the crew”.
“These actions are the latest example of the PRC using dangerous and escalatory measures to assert its expansionist and unlawful South China Sea maritime claims. The US calls on the PRC to abide by international law and cease its dangerous and destabilizing behavior,” the US State Department said. PRC refers to the People’s Republic of China under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party.
The State Department reiterated the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty signed between the US and the Philippines in the statement. The treaty stipulates that in the event of an armed attack on either party’s homeland or on territory, forces, vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific area, the US and the Philippines will jointly respond to the danger.
The State Department specifically mentioned in the latest statement that Article IV of the treaty applies to armed attacks on the Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft (including vessels or aircraft of the Philippine Coast Guard) at any location in the South China Sea.
The clashes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea are becoming increasingly frequent. On Monday, the Philippines stated that two Coast Guard vessels encountered what it described as “illegally aggressive operations” by Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal while on their way to provide supplies to personnel stationed on two islands.
There have been at least three collisions between Chinese and Filipino vessels. The right side of the BRP Cape Engano of the Philippines was torn open with a hole measuring 3.6 feet in diameter. The left side of the Bagacay of the Philippines was ripped with a gap measuring 2.5 feet long and 3 feet wide.
The Chinese Coast Guard, in a statement, shifted the blame to the Philippines, asserting that the Filipino vessels disregarded multiple warnings from the Chinese side and deliberately collided with Chinese vessels in a “unprofessional and dangerous” manner in disputed waters.
The Philippines countered that China’s claim was unreasonable and unfounded.