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The United States on Tuesday said it was backing the Philippines’ complaints against the swarming of parts of the country’s waters in the South China Sea (SCS) by Chinese vessels believed to be manned by its maritime militia that undermined the livelihood of Filipino fishermen.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila immediately issued a sharp response, saying that Washington made some “unfounded accusations” against China to “drive wedges” between countries, create tensions and harm peace and stability in the region.
“The reported escalating swarms of PRC (People’s Republic of China) vessels in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands interfere with the livelihoods of Philippine fishing communities, and also reflect continuing disregard for other South China Sea claimants and states lawfully operating in the region,” US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
Citing satellite images, it was the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, a Washington-based think tank, that first reported in November that up to 30 Chinese vessels were constantly present at Iroquois Reef from September 2021 to September 2022.
Western Command chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos confirmed the “swarming presence” of Chinese fishing vessels at Iroquois Reef and also at Sabina Shoal during the same period.
“The United States supports the Philippines’ continued calls upon the People’s Republic of China to respect the international law of the sea in the South China Sea, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its legal obligations pursuant to the 2016 arbitral ruling,” Price said.
The arbitral ruling upheld Philippine sovereignty over its 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and invalidated China’s claims to virtually all of the South China Sea.
“The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in upholding the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law” Price said.
There was no immediate comment from Malacañang on the US state department’s statement.
