The Chinese coast guard yesterday targeted Philippine vessels with water cannons and rammed one of them, causing damage and endangering crew members off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, just a day after similar hostilities at another contested shoal, Philippine officials said.
The Philippines and its treaty ally, the US, immediately condemned the latest confrontation near the Second Thomas Shoal (Renai Shoal, 仁愛暗沙), where two supply boats operated by the Philippine Navy and two Philippine Coast Guard escort ships sailed to deliver food and other supplies to Philippine forces in a long-marooned navy ship that serves as a territorial outpost.
“We condemn, once again, China’s latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal that has put the lives of our people at risk,” a Philippine government task force that deals with territorial disputes said in a statement, using the Philippine name for the shoal.
Photo: AFP / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
“The systematic and consistent manner in which the People’s Republic of China [PRC] carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue,” it said. “We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community.”
In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “serious concern” over China’s conduct, adding that it is opposed to and condemns any actions that threaten security in the South China Sea and undermine regional peace, stability and the “status quo.”
The ministry called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid the use of force regarding any actions that could lead to conflict to prevent further escalation of the situation in the South China Sea.
It stressed Taiwan’s sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and support for freedom of navigation and overflight in the area.
Taiwan is willing to work as an equal with other countries to maintain and promote peace and stability in the South China Sea, it said.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said her country “stands with the Philippines and partners in vehemently condemning the PRC’s repeated illegal and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels.”
Chinese “aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Carlson added.
The China Coast Guard said it had “implemented controls in accordance with laws and regulations” yesterday against two Philippine Coast Guard vessels, including one official ship and one supply ship that were attempting to transport construction materials to the Second Thomas Shoal.
The statement gave no details about the measures taken, but said the Philippines action “seriously infringed on China’s sovereignty.”
It also said a Philippine vessel ignored warnings and in violation of international navigation regulations made a sharp turn in an “unprofessional and dangerous manner,” and intentionally collided with a China Coast Guard ship, causing “scratching.”
China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu (甘羽) said China’s actions were “reasonable, legal and professional,” and that such operations would continue unabated.
Additional reporting by Liu Tzu-hsuan
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