US State Dept, DFA: China WPS actions a threat to peace, stability

United States Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Philippine  Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro shared the view that China’s obstruction of a lawful maritime operation in the South China Sea threatened regional peace and stability.

In a Tuesday statement, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that both the Deputy Secretary and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary also agreed that China’s actions interfered with Philippine freedom of navigation.

Campbell added that the United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty also applied to armed attacks on Philippine forces in the South China Sea.

“Deputy Secretary Campbell and Undersecretary Lazaro further reiterated the critical importance of the United States-Philippines alliance to maintaining our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region,”  the statement read.

Earlier, US Ambassador to the Philippines  MaryKay Carlson also said that the US condemned China’s actions during a recent incident.

"The US condemns the PRC’s aggressive,  dangerous maneuvers near Ayungin Shoal, which caused bodily injury,  damaged Philippine vessels, and hindered lawful maritime operations to supply food, water, and essential supplies to personnel within the exclusive economic zone,” she said in a statement on X.

The statements came after the Chinese Coast Guard allegedly attacked eight soldiers, seized their firearms, and punctured their rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) during a rotation and resupply mission at the  Ayungin Shoal on Monday. — DVM, GMA Integrated News