The United States has reiterated its demand for China to cease its aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea, highlighting the emergence of a broader network of security alliances aimed at upholding the rule of law in these contested waters.
During a forum in Manila on Friday, Washington’s top diplomat, alongside representatives from key Western and Asian allies such as Japan and Australia, expressed concerns over escalating tensions, particularly between China and the Philippines.
They reaffirmed their commitment to defending a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
A notable incident occurred on June 17, 2024, when Chinese coast guard personnel, armed with knives and spears, attacked and damaged two Philippine navy supply vessels during a chaotic confrontation at the Second Thomas Shoal.
This altercation resulted in injuries to Filipino sailors and the seizure of seven Philippine navy rifles.
The Philippines and China have exchanged blame for the incident, which is the latest in a series of maritime confrontations that have been ongoing since last year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also involved in longstanding territorial disputes in the region.
“With the support of an increasingly interconnected network of alliances, the United States urges the PRC to stop the escalatory and dangerous harassment of Philippine vessels operating lawfully within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson stated at the forum, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
Carlson emphasized that China should “cease interfering with the freedom of navigation and overflight of all states lawfully operating in the region.
” She noted, “The volume of condemnation from the international community is loud and getting louder, reflecting our shared commitment to international rules and norms that benefit everyone.”
The Biden administration has been fortifying security alliances across Asia as a counter to China’s assertive stance, aligning with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’s initiatives to enhance territorial defense.
In contrast, Beijing has opposed Washington’s alliance-building efforts and has pledged to protect its territorial claims vigorously.
The forum coincided with the anniversary of a 2016 ruling from an arbitration panel in The Hague that invalidated China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
China has rejected the ruling and continues to defy it, having not participated in the arbitration process initiated by the Philippines.
On the same day, dozens of protesters rallied in Quezon City, commemorating the arbitration ruling with banners proclaiming “China out!” and “Long live the arbitral ruling victory.”
Australian Ambassador HK Yu characterized the June 17 incident as “an escalation in a troubling pattern of behavior by China, which poses risks of miscalculation and escalation.”
“The Philippines is not facing this challenge alone,” Yu affirmed. “You can count on Australia.”
Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo expressed solidarity, stating, “As allies, partners, and friends, we stand united in navigating these uncertain waters and upholding the fundamental principles that safeguard our shared waters.”
Japan has also provided patrol vessels and a coastal radar system to assist the Philippines in defending its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano called for international support in urging Chinese compliance with the arbitration ruling.
While Manila seeks peaceful resolutions, Ano emphasized that the country will “continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence, and other tactics that jeopardize our security.”