US Renews Defense Commitment to Philippines Following Sea Clash With Chinese Vessels

Philippines summons Chinese official over sea clash, as Chinese vessels obstruct a resupply mission and collide with Filipino boats, violating international law; ASEAN to discuss potential non-aggression pact with China.

Following a clash at sea where Chinese vessels obstructed a resupply mission and collided with Filipino boats, the US reaffirmed its commitment to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. The State Department stated the US is obligated to intervene if Filipino forces, ships, or aircraft come under an armed attack in the South China Sea.
The US along with other allies expressed concern at China's actions, blaming Chinese ships for intentionally causing the collisions and violating international law by interfering with the Philippine vessels' right to navigate freely in international waters.
These incidents triggered an emergency meeting of Filipino officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. Teodoro criticized China's resort to 'brute force' and 'aggression', endangering Filipino crew members and violating international law.
In response, China urged the Philippines to stop 'making provocations at sea' and 'making dangerous moves', arguing that the Philippine vessels had intruded into Chinese territory. The Chinese coast guard blamed the Philippine vessels for causing the collisions.
The territorial disputes involving several nations, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei have been a long-standing flashpoint in the US-China rivalry. The recent clashes may be discussed in upcoming negotiations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over a non-aggression pact to prevent major conflict in the South China Sea.