Joe Biden will issue a warning to Beijing about their aggressive actions in the South China Sea, as fears over a military conflict between China and the Philippines brew.
The US President will express concern about the Philippines-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the South China Sea, at an upcoming summit between the US, the Philippines, and Japan later this week.
The reef has been claimed by many countries – including China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The latest escalation in tensions between Beijing and Manila came on March 23, after three Filipino sailors were injured after the Chinese coastguard used a water cannon on the Sierra Madre, a rusting ship that has been lodged on the reef for 25 years.
Joe Biden will caution Beijing about their aggressive actions in the South China Sea
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Two senior officials have stated that Biden will stress that the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty applies to the ship, which the Philippines have purposely marooned to reinforce its claim in the shoal.
“China is underestimating the potential for escalation. We’ve tried to make that clear in a series of conversations . . . that our mutual defence treaty covers Philippine sailors and ships and by extension . . . the Sierra Madre,” one official told the Financial Times.
“China needs to examine its tactics or risk some serious blowback.”
Jose Manuel Romualdez, Philippine ambassador to the US, said both countries hoped that the treaty would never have to be invoked, but cautioned that “we will not hesitate to do so” if justified.
The other official told the publication that China may believe that their actions may not warrant US interference.
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Many countries have claimed ownership of the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the South China SeaGettyBonnie Glaser, a China expert at the German Marshall Fund, stressed the situation in the shoal could lead to an escalation of tensions between the US and China.
She said: “If Beijing directly attacks Philippine ships or armed forces, Washington would be compelled to respond. A major political crisis between the US and China would ensue, and, at worst, a wider military conflict.”
Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said today that they will continue to maintain a dialogue with China in order to not flare up tensions further.
He added he hopes the newly concluded joint maritime activity with Japan, Australia, and the United States will reduce incidents in the waterway.
Experts believe the situation in the shoal could lead to an escalation of tensions between the US and China
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Later this week, leaders of Japan, the United States and the Philippines will hold a summit in Washington to discuss issues like recent incidents in the highly strategic waters.
Manila’s dispute with Beijing comes as China continues to claim sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.
Such a claim cuts into the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
Addressing recent concerns, Philippine Fleet commander Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos said last month: “We are ready for what they are going to do.
“The troops stationed at Sierra Madre are prepared for the worst-case scenario.
“We are studying all options. It’s unacceptable if we are going to stop the resupply mission.”