The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard and maritime militia's dangerous and unlawful actions obstructing an October 22 Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
By conducting dangerous maneuvers that caused collisions with Philippine resupply and Coast Guard ships, the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia violated international law by intentionally interfering with the Philippine vessels' exercise of high seas freedom of navigation.
PRC conduct jeopardized Filipino crew members' safety and impeded critically needed supplies from reaching service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre. Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippine maritime operations undermines regional stability.
Second Thomas Shoal is a feature well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and on the Philippine continental shelf. An international tribunal's July 2016 decision - legally binding on both the Philippines and PRC - made clear that "there exists no legal basis for any entitlement by China to maritime zones in the area of Second Thomas Shoal." The same ruling affirmed that Second Thomas Shoal is a low-tide elevation outside the territorial sea of another high tide feature - as such, the PRC's territorial claims to it are unfounded.
The unsafe maneuvers on October 22 and the PRC water cannoning of a Philippines' vessel on August 5 are the latest examples of provocative PRC measures in the South China Sea to enforce its expansive and unlawful maritime claims, reflecting disregard for other states lawfully operating in the region.
The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft - including those of its Coast Guard - anywhere in the South China Sea.
