April 30, 2023
2 mins read

US tells China to stop ‘provocative’ acts in South China Sea

In February, the Philippines said a Chinese ship had directed a “military-grade laser” at one of its resupply vessels….reports Asian Lite News

The United States called upon China to stop the provocative and unsafe conduct in the South China Sea, the State Department said in the statement.

In a statement, the State Department said, “We call upon Beijing to desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct. The United States continues to track and monitor these interactions closely.” This statement came after the Philippines accused China’s coast guard of “aggressive tactics” on Friday following an incident during a Philippine coast guard patrol close to the Philippines-held Second Thomas Shoal, a flashpoint for previous altercations located 105 nautical miles (195 km) off its coast, Reuters reported.

In February, the Philippines said a Chinese ship had directed a “military-grade laser” at one of its resupply vessels.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that Philippine vessels had intruded into Chinese waters and made deliberate provocative moves.

“On April 23, two Philippine Coast Guard vessels intruded into the waters of the Ren’ai Reef without Chinese permission. One of them made deliberate provocative moves by closing in on a Chinese Coast Guard vessel. In accordance with the law, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel upheld China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime order by making timely manoeuvres to dodge the dangerously approaching Philippine vessel and avoid a collision. The Chinese side’s manoeuvres were professional and restrained,” Ning replied to a media query.

The State Department said that the US stands with the Philippines in the face of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard’s continued infringement upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

“Imagery and video recently published in the media is a stark reminder of PRC harassment and intimidation of Philippine vessels as they undertake routine patrols within their exclusive economic zone,” the state department said in the statement.

“The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms that an armed attack in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea, on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of the Coast Guard, would invoke U.S. mutual defence commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” it added. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Nepali villages on China border struggle with food shortages

Previous Story

US launches first mass evacuation of Americans from Sudan

Next Story

Pakistan warned of increasing vulnerability

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan in the Dark: Power Crisis Boils Over

Regular power outages are a fact of life in Pakistan, but recent developments suggest that the situation is escalating to new extremes….writes Nasir Khattak In early January 2025, a nerve-breaking power outage

IBPC Dubai charts new growth path

Former Tata Motors CEO Ravi Kant headlines exclusive event as Indian business council sets course for transformation….reports Asian Lite News The Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai has signalled a significant

Miles in the Malls!

Dubai Mallathon kicks off today – The emirate’s biggest malls transform into indoor fitness arenas, inviting residents to walk, run, and win — all while staying cool, healthy, and community-connected….reports Asian Lite

Famine grips Gaza, WHO warns

WHO said Gaza’s population is facing acute food insecurity under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification…reports Asian Lite News The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued its starkest warning yet about the

Lifeline from UAE to Gaza

UAE’s Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 sustains Gaza’s collapsing health system with hospitals, treatment, aid, and vaccines, offering vital relief to thousands amid deepening crisis….reports Asian Lite News The United Arab Emirates has
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US Fed may raise interest rates by 0.75 percentage points

The report also showed a sharp rise in so-called core

Private collector to return looted antiquities to Cambodia

Other artifacts include a sandstone Buddha sculpture from seventh-eighth century,