The US lashed out against Chinese activities in the South China Sea on Tuesday, pledging to “stand with” regional allies as repeated clashes between Philippine and Chinese vessels heighten tensions in the vast, disputed waterway.
Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, deputy commander of the US Coast Guard Pacific Area, said the United States “unequivocally” condemned “aggressive” actions such as the ramming of vessels.
“China wants to be seen as a member of the world that has its set of rules and enforces it. But whenever they do things like ramming or water-cannoning unarmed vessels, it does not appear to be so,” Sugimoto said.
He also stressed US resolve to team up with allies to counter China in maritime disputes, saying a growing number of countries were willing to work with the US Coast Guard on this.
09:23
History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing
History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing
Sugimoto’s remarks followed yet another clash between Chinese and Philippine ships near Sabina Shoal – in their third such face-off in a week.
China and the Philippines traded blame over collisions near the shoal on Monday, Sunday and August 19.
The shoal has emerged as a potential third flashpoint between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea, after a string of clashes over the past year near Second Thomas Shoal as well as Scarborough Shoal – called Huangyan Island by China.
The Sabina and Second Thomas shoals are part of the Spratly Islands, called Nansha Islands by Beijing, which claims most of the South China Sea.
The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia are among the rival claimants to the Spratlys.
The Philippines has also accused China of launching flares “dangerously close” to its aircraft at least twice this month as the planes patrolled near Beijing-controlled Scarborough Shoal and Subi Reef.
The repeated face-offs have raised fears of a wider conflict drawing in the US, a treaty ally of the Philippines.
“We stand together with the Philippines, and we condemn the actions of aggressive individuals that do such things as ram or try to prevent humanitarian supplies from reaching individuals, [or] resupplying their fellow citizens,” Sugimoto said on Tuesday.
Calling on China to “uphold the rules themselves” and “stand and lead by example”, he said: “That’s when the rest of the world will notice that they are, in fact, world leaders and not bullies.”
Beijing has repeatedly accused the US of provoking the situation in the South China Sea, labelling the country as “the biggest disrupter of peace” in the region.
The US has stepped up joint military drills with allies in the South China Sea, including the first such exercise outside the Philippines’ territorial waters. The defence allies have also reiterated freedom of navigation rights in South China Sea waters and airspace.
“We need to be able to send ships freely wherever the oceans are, as that is part of the right of every nation on the planet,” Sugimoto said.
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South China Sea: China, Philippines trade blame after second collision at Sabina Shoal
South China Sea: China, Philippines trade blame after second collision at Sabina Shoal
On Sunday, Manila alleged “aggressive and dangerous” action from the Chinese side, including ramming and using water cannons, against what it said were vessels on a “humanitarian mission” bringing supplies to fishermen in the area.
Weeks before, the two sides reached a deal over resupply missions to a grounded Philippine navy ship at Second Thomas Shoal, a fiercely contested feature controlled by Manila. But they have failed to agree on some key conditions for the missions.
Shortly after the aerial confrontations near Scarborough Shoal earlier this month, Manila said the resupply arrangement might be subject to review.
China said at the time that it took “necessary countermeasures” after Philippine aircraft flew into its airspace over Subi Reef. The reef is also part of the disputed Spratlys and has been turned into an artificial island by Beijing, which controls the feature.
