US Condemns China’s Actions in South China Sea Amid Tensions with Philippines
Beijing [China], September 2: Amid growing tension in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned China’s aggressive actions. In a post on X, Miller stated, “The United States stands with our Philippine allies and condemns the dangerous and escalatory actions by the PRC against lawful Philippine maritime operations near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.”
The US response followed accusations from both China and the Philippines of ships ramming each other. On August 29, 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese vessel had “deliberately rammed” one of its ships three times near Sabina Shoal, a feature in the Spratly Islands.
The ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea have intensified recently, with both nations accusing each other of provocative actions. The dispute centres around the South China Sea’s strategic and resource-rich waters, which are claimed in part or in whole by several countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Recent tensions between China and the Philippines have heightened significantly, primarily due to ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. The conflict centres around conflicting territorial claims, with China asserting dominance over almost the entire sea based on its “nine-dash line,” while the Philippines relies on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to justify its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In July 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines, invalidating China’s extensive claims, but China dismissed the decision and persisted in its activities in the disputed waters. By April 2020, reports emerged of increased harassment by Chinese vessels against Philippine fishing boats and military ships. The situation further escalated in March 2021, when the Philippines protested the presence of numerous Chinese fishing boats in the Whitsun Reef, prompting international concern over China’s aggressive maritime actions. Tensions continued into April 2022, when a Chinese coast guard ship reportedly used water cannons against a Philippine resupply mission near Ayungin Shoal, leading to intense diplomatic exchanges.
Doubts Revealed
US State Department -: The US State Department is a part of the US government that handles the country’s relationships with other countries.
Matthew Miller -: Matthew Miller is a person who speaks on behalf of the US State Department.
South China Sea -: The South China Sea is a large sea in Asia, near countries like China and the Philippines. Many countries want control over parts of it.
Sabina Shoal -: Sabina Shoal is a shallow area in the South China Sea, near the Philippines. It’s important because countries argue over who owns it.
territorial claims -: Territorial claims are when countries say that a certain piece of land or sea belongs to them.
international law -: International law is a set of rules that countries agree to follow so they can get along better and solve problems peacefully.
provocative actions -: Provocative actions are things that one country does to make another country angry or upset.
