The US condemned on Saturday “ the dangerous and leading to escalation” China's actions against what Washington describes as legitimate maritime operations by the Philippines in the South China Sea, the State Department said in a statement cited by Reuters and BTA.
„A Chinese Coast Guard vessel deliberately collided three times with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel exercising its right of free navigation in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, causing damage to the vessel and endangering the safety of the crew” , said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
His statement said it was the latest in a series of dangerous and escalating actions by China in the region in August.
China and the Philippines exchanged accusations over the collision between the two ships on Saturday.
China claims almost all of the South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitration court that said there was no legal or historical basis for its claims. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims to the area, which is believed to be rich in natural resources.