Current:Home > BackAs Philippines sailor hurt in South China Sea incident, U.S. cites risk of "much more violent" confrontation-LoTradeCoin
As Philippines sailor hurt in South China Sea incident, U.S. cites risk of "much more violent" confrontation
View Date:2024-12-23 19:51:52
The White House condemned China on Monday over what the Philippines called an "intentional high-speed ramming" by the Chinese Coast Guard of one of its resupply ships in the South China Sea. One Filipino sailor was seriously wounded in the collision, the Philippine military said.
"We're deeply concerned about the injuries suffered by the Philippine sailor, obviously wishing him the best in terms of his recovery," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists Monday. "This kind of behavior [by China] is provocative, it's reckless, it's unnecessary, and it could lead to misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to something much bigger and much more violent."
The Philippines and China accused each other of causing the confrontation, involving a Philippine navy vessel carrying supplies to a small group of personnel on a grounded warship in the Second Thomas Shoal, which has long been regarded as a flashpoint that could spark a bigger conflict between the U.S. and China.
- U.S.-China ties "beginning to stabilize," but it won't be an easy road
The U.S. and the Philippines have a mutual defense treaty that obligates the two countries to help defend one another in any major conflict.
On Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell spoke over the phone with his Philippine counterpart and both reaffirmed that the treaty "extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft — including those of its coast guard — anywhere in the South China Sea."
There have been several incidents in recent months near the shoal, where a deliberately grounded Philippine naval ship called the Sierra Madre is maintained by the Philippine military. An attack on the ship could be viewed by the Philippines as an act of war.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said after the incident on Monday that the Philippine armed forces would resist "China's dangerous and reckless behavior," which "contravenes their statements of good faith and decency."
- China holds major war games as "powerful punishment" for Taiwan
China has become increasingly assertive in its claim to nearly all of the South China Sea, which has led to tension with other countries that also have claims to the waters, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
A new Chinese law that came into effect Saturday authorizes China's coast guard to seize foreign ships "that illegally enter China's territorial waters" and to hold foreign crews for up to 60 days, the Reuters news agency reported.
- In:
- War
- South China Sea
- Navy
- Philippines
- China
- Asia
Haley Ott is the CBS News Digital international reporter, based in the CBS News London bureau.
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (198)
Related
- Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes is convicted of producing images of child sex abuse
- When does 'Bridgerton' come out? Season 3 Part 2 release date, cast, where to watch new episodes
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Tuesday and podcast Wiser Than Me
- Sam Brown, Jacky Rosen win Nevada Senate primaries to set up November matchup
- 'Full House' star Dave Coulier diagnosed with stage 3 cancer
- Six years after the Parkland school massacre, the bloodstained building will finally be demolished
- Southern Baptists to decide whether to formally ban churches with women pastors
- Maren Morris came out as bisexual. Here's the truth about coming out.
- Ryan Reynolds Clarifies Taylor Swift’s Role as Godmother to His Kids With Blake Lively
- Juror on Hunter Biden trial says politics was not a factor in this case
Ranking
- Ariana Grande Shares Dad's Emotional Reaction to Using His Last Name in Wicked Credits
- What benefits can help improve employee retention? Ask HR
- One of several South Dakota baseball players charged in rape case pleads guilty to lesser felony
- Céline Dion Was Taking Up to 90-Milligram Doses of Valium Amid Battle With Stiff-Person Syndrome
- What does the top five look like and other questions facing the College Football Playoff committee
- Bull that jumped the fence at Oregon rodeo to retire from competition, owner says
- The US cricket team is closing in on a major achievement at the Twenty20 World Cup
- Idaho police force loses millions worth of gear and vehicles in fire
Recommendation
-
Ryan Reynolds Clarifies Taylor Swift’s Role as Godmother to His Kids With Blake Lively
-
Arkansas governor calls for special session on tax cuts and funds for hunting and fishing agency
-
Maren Morris came out as bisexual. Here's the truth about coming out.
-
Joey Chestnut will not compete at 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
-
Dozens indicted over NYC gang warfare that led to the deaths of four bystanders
-
Sam Brown, Jacky Rosen win Nevada Senate primaries to set up November matchup
-
Chace Crawford Confirms He’s Hooked Up With One of His Gossip Girl Co-Stars
-
Common releases new album tracklist, including feature from girlfriend Jennifer Hudson