China has warned the Philippines not to “escalate tensions” in the South China Sea following the latest encounter between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed waters.
“We warn the Philippines to cease making any statements that may escalate tensions and stop all acts of encroachment. If the Philippines continues to challenge China’s bottom line, China will continue to take resolute measures to firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Sunday.
His statement came a day after a Chinese Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine vessel trying to resupply a grounded ship on Second Thomas Shoal, a reef in the Spratly Islands claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Wu said the Philippine vessel had “illegally intruded” waters near the reef, while the Philippines described China’s actions as “irresponsible and provocative.”
The Philippine Coast Guard said crew members were injured and the supply boat sustained “significant damage” during the incident. The Philippines uses the grounded ship, the World War II-era BRP Sierra Madre, as a base of operations in the area and frequently encounters Chinese vessels when trying to resupply personnel stationed on the ship.
The incident prompted a warning from the US, which has repeatedly reaffirmed the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty applies to attacks on Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. That means the US is threatening to intervene if the maritime dispute turns into a shooting war.
“The United States stands with its ally the Philippines and condemns the dangerous actions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea on March 23,” State Department spokesman Matt Miller said in a statement.
“The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea,” Miller added.
Tensions in the South China Sea have skyrocketed since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. came into office in 2022 and took a harder line against China’s claims to the South China Sea. Marcos has been emboldened by the US, which is strongly backing Manila and is expanding its military presence in the Philippines.
Do we always manage to find more corrupt countries to work with our exceptionally corrupt country to start wars all around the world? I guess that’s one sure way to keep countries poor and enslaved?
We should station a destroyer there, and open fire on the next Chinese vesselt that bumps or sprays another vessel. He is lucky I am not POTUS or this would already be over.
Why don’t you run for this year election…?!
Because I’m not appoved by one of the 5 companies and rich that own the US media.
right then. does that mean that you are just another interventionist?
that should be a political party, = the Interventionist Party.
their sole purpose would be to siphon off votes from both other parties.
hmm, demos mascot is the donkey, repos mascot is the elephant.
i wonder what the Interventionist Party mascot would be.
things that make you go hmm.
Well, I say words aren’t sending a strong message. So actions will.
I am for enforcing internaional law. The problem is our leaders have become part of the violators club, making our words ring hollow when we accuse others of violating the same treaties. So yeah, first order would be following the letter of international law. Not arming and aiding countries that violate human rights or the Geneva convention. Not invading sovereign nations ourselves without congressional consensus. 2nd, yes, I would enforce international maritime law, and show China that I will blow hold in thier Navy faster than they an say the word, if and when they violate the terms of our existing peace treaties.
Come on, Philippines, ONLY China and Russia can make statements with illegal invasions and annexations of sovereign territories or international waters.
And we should let them do so in the name of “Peace.”.
ONLY China and Russia and the US can make statements with illegal invasions and annexations of sovereign territories…
there, i fixed it for you