The US condemned the “harmful actions” in opposition to “lawful Philippine maritime operations” on Monday after the newest conflict.
“These actions are the newest examples of (China) utilizing harmful and escalatory measures to implement its expansive and illegal South China Sea maritime claims,” State Division spokesman Vedant Patel mentioned.
Requested about Patel’s remarks on Tuesday, his Chinese language counterpart Mao Ning defended Beijing’s “authorized measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and pursuits”.
“The US just isn’t a celebration within the South China Sea and has no proper to intervene in maritime disputes between China and the Philippines,” Mao advised a daily briefing.
“The US ought to cease scary confrontation within the South China Sea, not disrupt regional stability and never escalate tensions,” Mao mentioned.
Sabina Shoal is within the Spratly Islands, that are claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Analysts have mentioned Beijing’s purpose is to push eastwards from the Second Thomas Shoal in the direction of Sabina Shoal, encroaching on Manila’s unique financial zone and normalising Chinese language management of the world.
The confrontations have echoes of 2012 when Beijing took management of Scarborough Shoal, one other strategic characteristic within the South China Sea closest to the Philippines.