The United States has issued a strong condemnation of China following a collision between a Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship near Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. This incident, which occurred early Monday, is the latest in a series of increasingly tense confrontations in the strategically critical waterway, heightening concerns about the potential for global conflict.
Both nations have blamed each other for the collision, with China asserting “indisputable sovereignty” over almost the entire South China Sea, including many features far from its mainland. The Philippines, along with other nations, disputes these claims.
In a post on X, US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson condemned China’s “aggressive, dangerous maneuvers,” accusing them of causing bodily injury and damaging Philippine vessels. Although neither side reported injuries or significant damage, the incident escalated tensions just weeks after Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. warned that the death of any Filipino in the South China Sea would be considered close to an act of war.
Marcos has been strengthening ties with the US, which has emphasized its “ironclad commitment” to a 1951 mutual defense treaty with the Philippines. This treaty obligates both nations to defend each other if attacked by a third party.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated the US’s support for the Philippines, condemning China’s “escalatory and irresponsible actions.” Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell discussed the collision with Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro, emphasizing that China had obstructed the Philippines’ lawful maritime operations, infringing on their freedom of navigation.
The collision marks the first such incident since China enacted a new law on Saturday allowing its coast guard to seize foreign ships and detain their crews for up to 60 days without trial. The Chinese coast guard accused the Philippine ship of ignoring warnings and approaching in a “deliberately and dangerously” unprofessional manner. In contrast, Philippine authorities accused Chinese ships of “dangerous maneuvers,” including ramming and towing Philippine vessels.
Philippine army spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla highlighted that the main issue is the illegal presence and actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, infringing on their sovereignty.
Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef located about 200 kilometers from the Philippine island of Palawan, is part of the Spratly Islands—a region claimed by multiple nations including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The shoal has strategic importance due to its proximity to potential oil and gas reserves.
In 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, declaring China had no legal basis for its extensive claims in the South China Sea. However, China has ignored this ruling, continuing to assert its dominance in the region. Over the past year, clashes between China Coast Guard ships and Philippine vessels have resulted in damage and injuries to Filipino sailors.
The latest incident involved a Philippine ship on a mission to supply soldiers stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting vessel grounded deliberately in 1999 to assert the Philippines’ territorial claims. The Chinese Coast Guard accused the Philippines of illegally delivering supplies and conducted measures including “warnings and interceptions” and forced evictions, claiming their actions were reasonable and professional.
Philippine officials have broadly denounced China’s actions. Defense Minister Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. stated that China’s “dangerous and reckless behavior” would be resisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, calling for the international community to recognize China as the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the South China Sea.
This incident underscores the ongoing and intensifying disputes in the South China Sea, where China’s actions continue to challenge regional stability and international maritime laws. For a detailed analysis of China’s broader maritime activities, refer to our extensive report, “An Investigation into the Dubious Chinese Distant-Water Fishing Fleet (DWF).”
