China’s aggression in South China Sea, US reiterates ironclad commitment to protect Philippines

The US has expressed concern over China’s recent behavior towards Philippine ships in the South China Sea. The Southeast Asian nation has reported Chinese ships to the south of the oil and gas-rich region in disputed waters. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described Beijing’s conduct in the disputed sea as coercive and risky, in a readout released after a call with Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro. Austin also reiterated America’s ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines and said the two countries’ mutual defense treaty covers Coast Guard ships in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Army’s Western Command said 48 Chinese fishing vessels were spotted south of Recto Bank in the South China Sea during an aerial patrol in late June. The military said two ships of the Chinese Navy and three ships of the China Coast Guard are regularly patrolling the nearby coast. “Recto Bank, an important feature for the Philippines, holds immense potential for the country’s energy security and economic development,” the military’s Western Command said on its Facebook page, a focus of growing concern over China’s recent behavior .

Earlier this week the Philippine Coast Guard said its ships were continuously followed, harassed and hindered by large Chinese vessels in the South China Sea late last month. China’s foreign ministry responded by saying that the maneuvers of its ships were professional and restrained.

Chinese and Philippine ships nearly collided in disputed waters in April, with both sides accusing each other of trespassing and provocation. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last month that he sees Beijing as a partner in promoting peace and trade in the South China Sea, amid a recent push from his government to strengthen defense ties with the US. Are.