The US condemns the “irresponsible actions” of the Chinese coast guard after the latest incident with the Philippines

June 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The spokesman for the United States Department of State, Matthew Miller, condemned this Monday the “irresponsible actions” of the Chinese Coast Guard after the latest incident with a ship belonging to the Philippines in which both parties have accused each other of causing a collision. between the ships.

“The United States stands with its ally the Philippines and condemns the irresponsible and escalatory actions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to prevent the Philippines from legally delivering humanitarian supplies to service members stationed on the (grounded ship) ‘BRP Sierra Madre'” Miller said in a statement.

After this, he recalled that on May 19, the Chinese coast guard harassed the Philippine military who were being evacuated for medical reasons, at which time they “illegally seized” the supplies dropped by air.

Miller has also criticized the use of water cannons, ramming, blocking and towing maneuvers against Philippine ships for “endangering” the lives of Filipinos and threatening “regional peace and stability.”

“Beijing’s actions reflect a constant disregard for the security of the Filipinos and for International Law in the South China Sea,” he added, after which he expressed that China has no legitimate maritime claim in these disputed waters of the atoll. Second Thomas, according to a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016.

Finally, he assured that the mutual defense treaty between the United States and the Philippines includes armed attacks against the Philippine Armed Forces, public ships and aircraft in the South China Sea.

China claims most of the waters in the area, considering that they are part of its territory as they appear within the so-called “nine-dot line” that appears on the maps of the Asian giant – a line drawn by the Chinese Government that claims the South China Sea, including the Paracels and Spratly Islands, as its own.

Relations between China and the Philippines have been under increasing tension in recent months. Manila has accused Beijing of hindering its troop desupply missions within what it considers its exclusive economic zone, while China insists that Philippine ships transit these waters illegally.

The Philippines, on the orders of its president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has rejected China’s claims to this sea and its resources, while strengthening defense ties with the United States. His government has expressed its determination to explore the waters in search of energy resources, emboldened by a legal victory in 2016 — before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague — that rejected Beijing’s claims.