HONG KONG (SCMP): The US has accused China of “unsafe and irresponsible” action during a close encounter between a PLA helicopter and a Philippine plane over the South China Sea on Tuesday (Feb 18).
In a statement on Wednesday, Washington also pledged continued support for American allies to ensure a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.
“The United States stands with its ally the Philippines to condemn the unsafe and irresponsible actions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy to interfere with a Philippine maritime air operation in the vicinity of Scarborough Reef,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
“Reckless Chinese actions such as these are a threat to navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support our allies and partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. We call on China to refrain from coercive actions and settle its disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.”
The US statement comes in the wake of a tense stand-off on Tuesday between China and the Philippines above the disputed shoal, which is known in China as Huangyan Island in China and as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines.
A Chinese navy helicopter flew alarmingly close – within 3m (10 feet) – of a Philippine patrol plane during a 30-minute encounter.
The PLA’s Southern Theatre Command said it “expelled” the Philippine aircraft – a C-208 utility plane – after naval and air forces “legally tracked, monitored and warned the aircraft to leave”.
“The actions of the Philippines seriously violated China’s sovereignty and relevant international laws and Chinese regulations,” command spokesman Tian Junli said.
The Philippine Coast Guard condemned the Chinese navy’s actions as “reckless” and warned that they posed “a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers” while emphasising that the government fisheries aircraft was engaged in a “maritime domain awareness flight”.
China claims rights over the vast swathes of islands and rocks and their adjacent waters in the South China Sea. However, these claims overlap significantly with those of several neighbouring nations, particularly the Philippines.
This latest stand-off occurred just days after Australia accused China of releasing a flare near an Australian military plane conducting a flyover of the Paracel Islands – known as the Xisha Islands in China. The incident on Feb 11 led to a flurry of accusations between the two nations.
The US statement mentioned the Beijing-Canberra tension, saying China’s manoeuvres were “unsafe and unprofessional” and had endangered the Australian aircraft’s “routine maritime patrol” in the South China Sea.
US Secretary of State Mark Rubio has maintained close communication with his Philippine counterpart – their most recent discussion occurred last week on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
“Secretary Rubio not only reaffirmed US commitment to the United States-Philippines Alliance, but noted his enthusiasm for building an even more invested and enduring relationship” in the Munich meeting, the White House said.
In its statement on Wednesday, the State Department also referred to a defence agreement between the two nations, asserting that the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty “extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft – including those of its coastguard – anywhere in the South China Sea”. - South China Morning Post
