BEIJING: China asked the United States on Friday to stop supporting provocations by the Philippines in the South China Sea.
China and the Philippines have recently traded allegations over illegal and dangerous maneuvers affecting their respective ships in the area around the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed island in the busy waterway.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the United States should stop supporting and condoning the Philippines’ provocative moves and take practical actions to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has sent missions to resupply soldiers living on ageing, rusty warships deliberately grounded by Manila in 1999 at the disputed island to reinforce its sovereignty claims.
Mao, during a briefing, added that the Philippines had turned its back on an agreement with China, challenging its territorial integrity and sovereignty and insisting on delivering construction materials to the ship.
On June 17, the Philippine military alleged its sailor was wounded during an intentional-high speed ramming by the Chinese Coast Guard. China has disputed the claim saying the actions were lawful.
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell during a telephone call with China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on Thursday expressed concern about Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea.
The development comes a day before, the U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his Philippine counterpart, Eduardo Ano, shared concerns over escalatory actions of China.
The United States reiterated its commitment to the Philippines’ security, the White House said.
