US asks China to stop ‘provocative’ actions in South China Sea | World News

U.S. Called on China on Saturday to stop “provocative and unsafe behavior” in the disputed South China Sea, after A Chinese coast guard ship recently intercepted a Philippine patrol boat there, cause a close collision.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in a statement two days ago president biden Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House.

“We call on Beijing to stop its provocative and unsafe actions,” he said, adding that any attack on the Philippine Armed Forces would trigger a U.S. response.

The near miss on Sunday near the Spratly Islands was the latest in a string of incidents between China and the Philippines along the disputed waterway.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, defying an international ruling that the claim has no legal basis.

AFP was one of several outlets to witness the incident after reporters were invited to join two Philippine coastguard ships on a six-day patrol in the waters, visiting more than a dozen islands and reefs.

Philippine ships approach Second Thomas Shoal, or Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratly Islands.

As the BRP Malapascua, a small boat carrying Filipino journalists, approached the shallows, a Chinese Coast Guard ship more than twice its size sailed into its channel.

An AFP reporter watched the incident from another Philippine Coast Guard vessel less than a kilometer (0.6 miles) away.

The commander of the Malapascua said the Chinese vessel was within 45 meters (50 yards) of his boat and only his swift action prevented the steel-hulled ships from colliding with each other.

China’s foreign ministry said on Friday that the Philippine vessel had “broke in” without China’s permission, calling it a “premeditated provocative act.”

But Manila hit back, saying “routine patrols in our own waters can be neither premeditated nor provocative” and insisted they would continue.

The close came a day after Marcos hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Manila for talks aimed at easing tensions on the waterway.

Marcos has insisted he will not allow China to trample on the Philippines’ rights in the maritime domain and favors the United States as he seeks to strengthen defense ties.

The shift has alarmed China, which has accused Washington of trying to drive a wedge between Beijing and Manila.

Marcos has said he will discuss with Biden the “need to tone down the rhetoric” on the South China Sea, Taiwan and North Korea.