China sparks Joe Biden fury with 'aggressive' South China Sea tactics after ally clash
China has been embroiled in an increasingly bitter dispute with one of the US's closest allies in the Indo-Pacific region because of its claims over the South China Sea.
China triggered a furious response from the United States after a Chinese vessel collided with a Filipino supply ship in the contested South China Sea.
Beijing and Manila have been at odds for years over their shared claims of sovereignty over the area but the situation has grown more tense over the past 12 months.
The two countries confirmed on Monday that the two vessels had crashed near the Spratly Islands in separate statements in which they each blamed the other for the incident.
China claims "indisputable sovereignty" over most of the South China Sea, including the Spratlys despite Manila and an international ruling negating the claim.
Washington slammed Beijing's increasingly "aggressive" tactics in the area and reiterated its support to the Philippines – a key regional ally.
In a post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson condemned China's aggressive, dangerous manoeuvres."
She noted the collision had "caused bodily injury, damaged Philippine vessels, and hindered lawful maritime operations to supply food, water, and essential supplies to Filipino personnel within The Philippine's exclusive economic zone."
Manila maintains an outpost on Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef within the South China Sea which Beijing claims and knows as Ayungin Shoal.
In 1999, the Filipino military grounded the BRP Sierra Madre at the reef and established it as a forward port with a contingent of soldiers regularly operating from the ship.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller reiterated on Monday that "the United States stands with its ally the Philippines and condemns the escalatory and irresponsible actions" by Beijing.
Following the collision, the Chinese Coast Guard accused the Filipino supply ship of having "ignored China's repeated solemn warnings" before "deliberately and dangerously" approaching their vessel in "an unprofessional manner."
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Manila, however, pushed back on the allegations and counter-accused the Chinese ship of "dangerous manoeuvres," including "ramming and owning" the Filipino vessel.
An international tribunal in The Hague ruled in 2016 that China has no legal basis to claim sovereignty over the whole South China Sea.
China has repeatedly rejected the ruling and has become increasingly aggressive in its efforts to scare neighbours also laying claims over the area into bowing to Chinese demands.
This has resulted in increasing regional tensions, especially between Beijing and Manila.
Filipino president Ferdinand Marcos Jr only last month warned that the death of any citizen as a result of Chinese aggressions would be "very close" to an act of war.
The Philippines have been pursuing closer ties with Washington in response to Beijing's growing aggressiveness.
Mr Marcos has repeatedly stressed his commitment to a 1951 agreement with Washington that stipulates both countries would intervene in the other's aid in the event of an attack by a third party.
