The United States has called on Beijing to stop its "dangerous and destabilizing" actions in the South China Sea after a Philippine boat and a Chinese coast guard vessel collided near a disputed reef.
"These actions reflect not only a reckless disregard for the safety and livelihood of Filipinos, but also for international law," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, adding: "The United States calls on China to comply with the decision and cease its dangerous and destabilizing behavior".
The clash occurred during a Philippine mission to supply a small garrison in the Spratly Islands, a point of contention for Manila and Beijing. A day earlier, similar actions were registered on the Chinese side.
Chinese ships “used water cannons and reckless maneuvers, including causing damage to Philippine vessels conducting official supply missions in these locations and endangering the safety of Philippine crew. These actions reflect not only a reckless disregard for the safety and livelihood of Filipinos, but also for international law," Miller added.
Long-standing maritime tensions between Manila and Beijing have escalated in recent months following multiple incidents involving Philippine and Chinese ships.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the waters and islands near its neighbors' coasts, and has defied an international tribunal ruling that its claims have no legal basis.
Beijing uses boats to patrol the busy waterway and has built artificial islands that it has militarized to bolster its claims.
Miller said the tribunal's 2016 ruling "is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines."
Relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated under President Ferdinand Marcos, who has sought to improve ties with traditional ally Washington. /BGNES
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