Washington Condemns China’s ‘Escalatory’ Actions in South China Sea, Reaffirms Philippine Alliance

A mutual defense treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines requires both nations to support each other if either country is attacked.

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson transits the South China Sea while conducting flight operations on April 9, 2017. Z.A. Landers/Courtesy U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters

The United States has condemned China’s “escalatory and irresponsible actions” in preventing the Philippines from delivering food to its soldiers at an outpost in the South China Sea and reminded Beijing of the U.S.–Philippines mutual defense treaty.

“[China] vessels’ dangerous and deliberate use of water cannons, ramming, blocking maneuvers, and towing damaged Philippine vessels, endangered the lives of Philippine service members, is reckless, and threatens regional peace and stability,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement on June 17.