China's 'aggressive behavior' in South China Sea must be challenged — US Navy official | Inquirer News

China’s ‘aggressive behavior’ in South China Sea must be challenged — US Navy official

/ 09:30 AM August 28, 2023

FILE PHOTO: Philippine activists commemorate 7th anniversary of South China Sea ruling

FILE PHOTO: Filipino activists gather outside the Chinese consular office to commemorate the anniversary of the Philippines’ victory against China in the UN arbitral ruling on the South China Sea, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — China’s “aggressive behavior” in the South China Sea, including the use of water canon by its coast guard against a Philippine vessel, must be challenged and checked, the commander of the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet said on Sunday.

Vice Admiral Karl Thomas assured the Philippines of U.S. backing in the face of “shared challenges” in the region, saying: “My forces are out here for a reason.”

Article continues after this advertisement

The largest of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed fleets, the Seventh Fleet, headquartered in Japan, operates as many as 70 ships, has around 150 aircraft and more than 27,000 sailors.

FEATURED STORIES

It operates over an area of 124 million square km (48 million square miles) from bases in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

“You have to challenge people I would say operating in a grey zone. When they’re taking a little bit more and more and pushing you, you’ve got to push back, you have to sail and operate,” Thomas told Reuters.

Article continues after this advertisement

“There’s really no better example of aggressive behaviour than the activity on 5 August on the shoal,” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

On Aug. 5, a Chinese coast guard ship used water cannon against a Philippine boat carrying supplies to troops aboard a warship Manila intentionally grounded on a shoal in the South China sea, a fault line in the rivalry between the U.S. and Beijing in the region.

Article continues after this advertisement

Thomas said he had had discussions with Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, the head of the Philippine Western Command overseeing the South China Sea, “to understand what his challenges are to find opportunities to be able to help him”.

“We certainly shared challenges. So I wanted to better understand how he views the operations that he’s responsible for. And I want to make sure that he understood what I had available,” said Thomas who was in Manila for a port call.

Article continues after this advertisement

On Saturday, Thomas said he joined a flight from Manila “to go out and check out the South China Sea”.

The Philippines won an international arbitration award against China in 2016, after a tribunal said Beijing’s sweeping claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea had no legal basis.

China has built militarized, manmade islands in the South China Sea and its claim of historic sovereignty overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

RELATED STORIES

PCG: China’s calmer response to PH latest resupply mission only for ‘optics’ 

Despite China’s attempt to ‘interfere,’ PCG says resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre successful

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

TAGS: Aggression, China, West Philippine Sea, world news

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.