The United States has condemned China’s actions against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. A US State Department statement on Saturday described the recent actions against “legitimate Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea” as “dangerous and escalating.”
“A Chinese Coast Guard vessel intentionally collided three times with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel exercising its freedom of navigation in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, causing damage to the vessel and endangering the safety of the crew on board,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
There is a conflict between China and the Philippines over territorial claims in the South China Sea. On Saturday, the countries blamed each other for a collision between two vessels from their respective coast guards in a disputed part of the busy sea area.
In order to display external content, your revocable consent is required. Personal data may be processed by third-party platforms (possibly USA). More information .
Enable external content
Incidents are increasing
There have been an increasing number of similar incidents in recent weeks, particularly in the area of the particularly disputed Spratly Islands. The latest confrontation was the fifth of its kind within a month. The government in Beijing claims practically the entire South China Sea for itself – including parts to which the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam lay claim. An international arbitration tribunal declared in 2016 that there was no basis in international law for China’s claims. The Beijing leadership does not recognize the arbitration award.
The People’s Republic has already built seven artificial islands in the South China Sea. Some are equipped with radar, runways and surface-to-air missiles. The waters, through which goods worth around three trillion dollars are transported every year, are of enormous importance for international shipping. Oil and natural gas deposits are also suspected in some parts of the sea area, which is known for its fishing grounds.
F.A.Z.
China tests Japan’s reactions
Further north, in the East China Sea, Japan is accusing China of violating its sovereign rights twice within a week. A survey ship of the Chinese navy was located off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture in southwest Japan on Saturday morning, the Japanese Defense Ministry announced. The government in Tokyo lodged a protest with the Chinese embassy.
Just on Monday, a Chinese military aircraft entered Japanese airspace. The Chinese embassy was initially unavailable for comment.
The increase in Chinese military activities near Japan and around Taiwan in recent years has alarmed the Japanese government. Since then, Japan has been increasing its military efforts. China justifies its actions with territorial claims that Japan does not recognize.
Taiwan lies between the South and East China Seas. Both the Philippines and Japan have signed defense agreements with the United States.
