‘Unsafe and irresponsible’: US weighs in on China-Philippines aerial encounter over shoal
State Department calls on Beijing to ‘refrain from coercive actions and settle its disputes peacefully’
In a statement on Wednesday, Washington also pledged continued support for American allies to ensure a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.
“The United States stands with its ally the Philippines to condemn the unsafe and irresponsible actions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy to interfere with a Philippine maritime air operation in the vicinity of Scarborough Reef,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
“Reckless Chinese actions such as these are a threat to navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support our allies and partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. We call on China to refrain from coercive actions and settle its disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.”
01:25
Chinese military helicopter and Philippine patrol plane in close encounter over Scarborough Shoal
The US statement comes in the wake of a tense stand-off on Tuesday between China and the Philippines above the disputed shoal, which is known in China as Huangyan Island in China and as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines.
A Chinese navy helicopter flew alarmingly close – within 3 metres (10 feet) – of a Philippine patrol plane during a 30-minute encounter.