A screenshot from a video posted Aug. 6, 2023, on Twitter by the Philippine Coast Guard purports to show a China coast guard vessel using a high-pressure hose to harass a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea. (Philippine Coast Guard/Twitter)
The U.S. Secretary of Defense on Tuesday joined his Filipino counterpart in condemning China’s use of water cannons and “other dangerous maneuvers” against the Philippine coast guard over the weekend.
Two military-chartered civilian vessels, escorted by two Philippine coast guard ships, on Saturday attempted to move supplies to troops stationed on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands when they encountered eight Chinese vessels attempting to block their way.
The ensuing stand-off escalated when a Chinese ship used high-powered water cannons against one of the supply vessels, according to the Philippine coast guard.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a call with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., said China’s ships put the Philippine vessels and crews in danger, undermined the status quo and “directly threaten regional peace and stability,” according to a Defense Department readout of the call released Tuesday.
The Philippine coast guard issued a similar statement on Sunday, when it called on China to “restrain its forces” and “respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its exclusive economic zone.”
Beijing insists its actions were “in accordance with the law to safeguard China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests;” its operations in the regions are “beyond reproach,” according to a Tuesday news release from China’s Defense Ministry.
The Spratlys, about 100 islands and other features, are claimed in full by China, Taiwan and Vietnam; portions are also claimed by the Philippines and Malaysia. Around 45 islands are occupied by small contingents of military forces from all five countries, according to the CIA’s World Factbook website.
The Philippine military occupies Second Thomas Shoal and eight other features in the chain.
The Philippines has already lodged diplomatic complaints with Beijing, which is unlikely to alter its behavior, according to Carlyle Thayer, an emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales and lecturer at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
Beijing is also unlikely to escalate its tactics out of fear of triggering the U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty, he said.
“China is likely to continue to exercise self-restraint because its goals are long term,” Thayer told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday.
Several Chinese coast guard vessels on June 30 attempted to prevent two Philippine patrol ships from reaching the shoal, mirroring another incident in April. In February, the Philippines accused China of temporarily blinding crew members on a coast guard vessel with a “military-grade” laser.
