China urges US to stop supporting PH as US says support is 'ironclad'

BEIJING - China urged the United States on Friday to stop tolerating and supporting "provocations" by the Philippines, after Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell expressed concern about Beijing's "destabilizing actions in the South China Sea".

China and the Philippines have recently traded accusations over "dangerous and illegal maneuvers" affecting their respective vessels in the area around the Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), a disputed atoll in the busy waterway.

"The United States should stop condoning and supporting the Philippines' provocations and nuisance and take practical actions to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

The Philippines has sent missions to resupply soldiers living aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty, aging warship deliberately grounded by Manila in 1999 at the atoll to reinforce its sovereignty claims.

At a regular briefing, Mao added that the Philippines had turned its back on a consensus with China, challenging its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and insisting on delivering construction materials to the warship.

On June 17, a Philippine sailor had his thumb cut off after "intentional-high speed ramming" by the China Coast Guard, an assertion China has disputed, saying the actions were lawful. Six other Filipino soldiers were hurt.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) underscored that it would not dignify the misleading claims of China in relation to the reported collision of Philippine and Chinese vessels in the waters adjacent to Ayungin Shoal.

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner said the China Coast Guard “has no right or legal authority to interfere with our legitimate operations or damage our assets within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).” 

“This reckless and aggressive behavior has caused bodily harm and constitutes a blatant violation of international maritime law, Philippine sovereignty, and sovereign rights,” Brawner added, noting that China’s actions “also pose significant risks to regional stability.” 

Campbell made the remarks to China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu during a telephone call on Thursday, the US State Department said.

The day before, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his Philippine counterpart, Eduardo Año, discussed shared concerns over China's "dangerous and escalatory actions".

The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines' security, the White House said.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including portions claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Ayungin Shoal is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is well within the Philippines' 200-mile EEZ and is part of its continental shelf. —Reuters/KG, GMA Integrated News