In the latest episode of tensions in the South China Sea, the U.S. government has voiced support for the Philippines, condemning China’s Coast Guard for obstructing a Filipino vessel in disputed waters.
The incident involved a routine resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded vessel on Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines accused Chinese maritime militia vessels of hazardous maneuvers and deploying a water cannon in an attempt to impede the mission.
The U.S. State Department expressed solidarity with its Philippine ally, denouncing China’s actions as inconsistent with international law and citing a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated Chinese claims to Second Thomas Shoal. As the situation escalates, concerns over territorial disputes and the implications for regional stability persist.
