Updated Dec. 11, 2023, 04:55 a.m. ET.
The United States, European Union and Japan have all spoken against what they call “dangerous actions” by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in the South China Sea over the weekend.
Beijing and Manila traded accusations of harassment and ramming on Sunday as the Philippine Coast Guard conducted a resupply mission to a military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.
A day earlier, Manila accused the Chinese coast guard of deploying water cannons and painful sound blasts against boats ferrying supplies to Filipino fishermen near Scarborough shoal.
The U.S. State Department said in a statement Sunday that China's actions "reflect not only reckless disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos, but also for international law."
“As reflected in an international tribunal’s legally binding decision issued in July 2016, the PRC has no lawful maritime claims to the waters around Second Thomas Shoal, and Filipinos are entitled to traditional fishing rights around Scarborough Reef,” said the statement, referring to China by its official name the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
“… the United States calls upon the PRC to abide by the ruling and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct,” it added.
The State Department once again reaffirmed “that Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.”
Japan, which also has maritime disputes with China, said it was gravely concerned about “repeated dangerous actions by CCG vessels against Philippine vessels.”
"Japan stands with the Philippines in support of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific," the Japanese ambassador to Manila wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Japan opposes actions that undermine the peace and stability in the South China Sea."
The E.U. meanwhile called for both sides to observe the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, dispute settlement mechanism and said that the 2016 Tribunal Award, which Manila won, is "a valuable framework for peaceful resolution."
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the relationship between China and the Philippines Maritime disputes are issues between China and the Philippines, and no third party has the right to intervene.
“In recent times, in order to realize its own geopolitical interests, the United States has encouraged, supported and cooperated with the Philippines’ violations and provocations in the South China Sea,” said the spokesperson. “China will continue to take necessary measures in accordance with domestic and international laws to firmly safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
Diplomatic protest
The China Coast Guard accused Philippine vessels of intruding into the waters adjacent to the reefs and said it had used "control measures in accordance with the law" against the trespassing ships.
It also blamed a Philippine supply boat for “deliberately colliding into” a CCG vessel.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila on Monday said it has lodged a fresh diplomatic protest against China's actions and summoned the Chinese ambassador to complain about the latest incidents.
More than 250 such diplomatic protests have been filed by the Philippines against China since last year, nearly half of them since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office, according to RFA’s calculations.
On Sunday Marcos said that the latest bout of maritime aggression against Philippine boats in the South China Sea has steeled Manila’s resolve to defend its waters.
"The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation's sovereignty," Marcos wrote on X.
The features known to Filipinos as Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) and Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) are “an integral part of our archipelago,” he said.
“The illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order,” the president added.
Meanwhile, a civilian “Christmas convoy” that planned to deliver holiday cheer and supplies to Philippine troops and fishermen in disputed parts of the sea was ordered back to shore after four Chinese vessels started shadowing its lead ship, said ATIN ITO, the group organizing the effort.
Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.
Updated to add a response from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.