US stands with Philippines against Chinese intimidation in South China Sea, says senior US official

MANILA – The United States stands with treaty ally the Philippines in the face of harassment by China’s coast guard in the South China Sea and remains deeply concerned about “intimidation” by Beijing, a senior United States official said on Tuesday.

A visit to the US this week by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr

highlights the strength and endurance of the alliance between the two countries, said US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink.

The Philippines on Friday

accused China’s coast guard

of “dangerous manoeuvres” and “aggressive tactics” in the South China Sea, in another maritime confrontation between the two countries. China said the Philippine vessels made “deliberate provocative moves”.

“We remain deeply concerned by (China’s) continued intimidation and harassment of Philippine vessels as they continue to undertake really routine patrols within the Philippine exclusive economic zone,” Mr Kritenbrink said in a teleconference from the US.

“Such actions and behaviour on the part of Beijing are truly unacceptable.”

Mr Kritenbrink also said the US and its partners recognise the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait.

The Philippines and US on Monday

reaffirmed their decades-old security alliance

in a trip that marks a dramatic turnaround in their relations, as both countries seek ways to push back against China’s assertiveness near Taiwan and in the South China Sea.

US President Joe Biden told Mr Marcos on Monday that the

US commitment to defending its treaty ally was “ironclad”.

Mr Marcos said the region had “arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now”.

Under Mr Rodrigo Duterte, Mr Marcos’ anti-US predecessor, relations soured as he sought to court China while openly rebuking Washington.

Mr Kritenbrink said he was “exceptionally confident” about bilateral ties. REUTERS