The US State Department condemned China's dangerous actions in the South China Sea and expressed support for the Philippines' resistance.
On the 13th, State Department spokesperson Miller issued a statement on the official website, saying that the United States condemns China for colliding with Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessels near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on the 12th and firing water cannons at them.
Miller said: "The United States supports its Philippine allies in countering China's destabilizing and dangerous actions. China's claims to territory and maritime rights in the South China Sea, as well as the increasingly frequent use of coercive actions to advance those claims without regard for neighboring countries, continuously undermine regional stability and run counter to previous commitments to resolve disputes peacefully."
Miller stated that the United States reiterates that the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty encompasses defense assistance if public vessels or aircraft of the Philippine armed forces and coast guard are attacked anywhere in the South China Sea.
On the 12th, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Tarriela said in a statement on social media that at about 8:15 a.m., a Chinese coast guard vessel "dangerously approached" three vessels of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The Philippine vessels were in the waters of Ayungin Shoal at the time, carrying out missions to protect Filipino fishermen.
Tarriela said that at around 9:15 a.m., the Chinese coast guard vessel fired a water cannon at the Fisheries Bureau patrol vessel Datu Pagbuaya, then deliberately rammed the stern of the Datu Pagbuaya, causing minor structural damage, but fortunately no crew members were injured.
Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement that the Philippine actions have seriously infringed upon China's territorial sovereignty, and that the Chinese coast guard took control measures and drove the Philippine vessel away in accordance with the law, and that the actions were reasonable and legal.
On Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized that the Philippines had organized and premeditated provocations, saying that deliberate maritime infringements and provocations are the root cause of regional tension.