US Reacts Following Chinese Vessel Colliding with US Ally in the South China Sea

Washington has criticized Beijing after another incident where Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided, highlighting ongoing tensions in their territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

“The U.S. strongly supports the Philippines and condemns China’s dangerous and provocative actions against Philippine maritime operations near Sabina Shoal,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Saturday.

This incident adds to previous confrontations near Sabina Shoal in August, despite a July agreement meant to ease tensions. Different understandings of the agreement have led to renewed conflicts.

The U.S. pointed out that China claims sovereignty over areas “without land” and warned that its “aggressive actions” threaten navigation for everyone. Miller stressed that the 1951 U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty applies to attacks on Philippine vessels “anywhere in the South China Sea.”

Maritime security analyst Duan Dang from Vietnam noted China’s behavior as “an attack in plain sight.”

“The Chinese are mocking while officials in Washington and some in Manila use legal definitions to justify inaction,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.

He questioned why the U.S. should go beyond its treaty obligations to help the Philippines, suggesting that if the U.S. doesn’t effectively support its ally, others may doubt the value of their alliances.

Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela reported that China’s coast guard “deliberately rammed and collided” with the BRP Teresa Magbanua three times “without provocation.” He also shared photos showing minor damage to the Philippine vessel during the incident.

Since April, the Philippines has sent its BRP Teresa Magbanua ship to Sabina Shoal after discovering crushed coral piles, raising concerns about possible Chinese construction of an artificial island. Recently, China has obstructed Philippine efforts to supply the vessel.

China claims that the Philippines is using the ship as an excuse for a long-term presence, similar to a grounded warship at Second Thomas Shoal. However, Manila promises to maintain its presence in the area.

Sabina Shoal is 86 miles from the Philippine Province of Palawan and is part of the Spratly Islands within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, giving it access to resources. China’s claims conflict with those of several Southeast Asian countries, causing ongoing disputes.

The collision happened shortly after 8 a.m. when the Teresa Magbanua began moving in Sabina Shoal’s lagoon. According to a statement from the China Coast Guard shared by its embassy in Manila, Chinese ship 5205 “issued warnings… in accordance with laws and regulations.” They accused the Teresa Magbanua of “deliberately” colliding with them at 12:06 p.m.

Liu urged the Philippines not to “create hot spots or escalate the situation,” warning that it would “bear all consequences.”

On Sunday, the European Union condemned “dangerous actions by Chinese coast guard vessels against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea.”

The Australian foreign affairs department also condemned the “repeated and intentional ramming of Philippine vessels” and urged China to stop these actions, resolve disputes peacefully, and follow international law.

China claims much of the South China Sea, overlapping with claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. An international tribunal ruled against China’s claims in a 2016 decision initiated by the Philippines, but China rejected this ruling and continues to assert its claims in the region.