The U.S. State Department on Monday showed its support for the Philippines, which has denounced in recent weeks the proximity of Chinese ships to its islands, citing the need to defend international law in the region.
«The United States supports the Philippines’ continued calls on the People’s Republic of China to respect the International Law of the Sea,» reads a statement from the U.S. office highlighting United Nations regulations.
Thus, the State Department has highlighted «the defense of the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.»
«The reported increasing swarms of PRC vessels in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands interfere with the livelihoods of Filipino fishing communities and also reflect a continued disregard for other South China Sea claimants and states operating legally in the region,» it has denounced.
In addition, the Antony Blinken-led department has shared the Asian country’s concerns over an incident, which it called an «unsafe encounter,» that occurred in November between a Philippine Navy vessel and the Chinese Coast Guard in the waters off Pagasa Island.
The Philippines issued a diplomatic note to Beijing seeking explanations from the Chinese authorities for blocking passage by towing unidentified metal objects from the sea, which were later recognized as rocket debris.
For its part, the Chinese embassy denied «forcible seizure», while insisting that the delivery was made on the basis of «friendly consultation».
This incident occurred hours before the arrival of US Vice President Kamala Harris in Manila.
The Philippines and China are embroiled in a territorial dispute over over overlapping claims in the South China Sea, where Beijing has seized areas and built artificial islands with military-capable facilities. In addition to the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim the area, which is considered rich in natural resources.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
