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China blocking Philippines’ vessels “a provocative move that raises tensions” U.S. State Department says
Press Trust of India | Washington | March 12, 2014 7:53 pm
China withdrew one of three ships engaged in a standoff with Philippines vessels in a disputed area of the South China Sea on April 13, 2012 as both sides pursued talks to defuse the dispute. (Reuters)
The Philippines has maintained a presence at Second Thomas Shoal since 1999. Philippine Marines live aboard the ship that lies aground on the reef: BRP Sierra Madre.
Concerned by reports that China has blocked two vessels of the Philippines in the South China Sea, the US on Wednesday described it as a provocative move that raised tensions.
“We are troubled by reports that China’s Coast Guard blocked efforts by two Filipino vessels to re-supply the Philippines’ outpost at Second Thomas Shoal. This is a provocative move that raises tensions,” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said.
“Pending resolution of competing claims in the South China Sea, there should be no interference with the efforts of claimants to maintain thestatus quo,” she said.
The Philippines has maintained a presence at Second Thomas Shoal since 1999, as other claimants have maintained a presence elsewhere in the South China Sea, she added.
“The regular resupply and rotation of personnel positioned in the South China Sea at locations that have existed since before the Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea was issued by ASEAN and China in 2002 is consistent with maintenance of the status quo. Other claimants regularly resupply and repair their outposts without interference,” Psaki said.
“Freedom of navigation and overflight is a linchpin of security in the Pacific. Safe and unimpeded lawful commerce, freedom of navigation, stability, and respect for international law must be maintained,” said the spokesperson.
BRP Sierra Madre
China urges the Philippine side to stop provocations, honor its words, pull away its ship from the reef and to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Qin said.
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Related:
Above: China says it has sovereignty over all inside the “Nine Dash Line” as seen here.
China has claimed much of the South China Sea for itself — claims that have upset many in the region, especially Vietnam and the Philippines. A huge wealth of untapped oil is believed to be below the sea here.
The chart below shows the area declared by China on 1 January 2014 as “an area under China’s jurisdiction.” China says “foreign fishing vessels” can only enter and work in this area with prior approval from China. Vietnam, the Philippines and others have said they will not comply with China’s law.
Tags: arbitration, ASEAN, Ayungin Shoal, “Freedom of overflight", Bajo de Masinloc, BRP Sierra Madre, Brunei, China, China's coast guard,Chinese coast guard, code of conduct, Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea, Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, exclusive economic zone, Filipinos, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang, freedom of navigation, International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, Itlos, Jay Batongbacal, Malaysia, Nansha Islands,Panatag Shoal, Philippine ships, Philippines, Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, Ren'ai Reef of, Scarborough Shoal,Second Thomas Shoal, South China Sea, Taiwan, U.S. Department of State, UN Security Council, Vietnam, West Philippine Sea
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