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China’s coast guard intercepts Philippine ship in disputed waters

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Chinese coast guard ships intercepted and used water cannons on two Philippine supply ships that were approaching a disputed shoal held by Philippine marines in the South China Sea, sparking protests. anger toward China and warnings from the Philippine government that its ships Manila’s top diplomat said on Thursday are mentioned in a mutual defense treaty with the United States.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said no one was injured in Tuesday’s incident in disputed waters, but two supply ships had to abandon their mission to provide food to Philippine forces occupying the Shoal. Second Thomas Shoal, located off the west coast of Palawan. provinces within the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone.

Locsin said in a tweet that the actions of the three Chinese coast guard ships were illegal and he asked them to “pay attention and step back.”

The Philippine government has conveyed to China “our outrage, condemnation and opposition to the incident,” Locsin said, adding that “this failure to exercise self-restraint threatens the special relationship.” between the Philippines and China” that President Rodrigo Duterte and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have painstakingly fostered.

There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials in Manila or Beijing.

The incident is the latest outbreak in long simmering territorial disputes in the strategic waterway, where China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

China claims almost all of the waterway and has turned seven disputed shoals into missile-protected island bases to bolster its claims, heighten tensions and entice the parties. disputes as well as alarmed Western governments led by the United States.

Washington has no claim to the busy waterway but has patrolled the area with Navy ships and aircraft to reassure its allies, including the Philippines, and ensure freedom of navigation. maritime and aviation.

China has repeatedly warned the US to stay away from disputed waters and not to interfere in what it considers regional affairs.

US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump have repeatedly assured the Philippines that the US will honor its obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two nations if Philippine forces, ships or aircraft are attacked. in the long-disputed area.

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