US Condemns China's South China Sea Actions, Reaffirms Defense Treaty with Philippines

US Denounces 'Coercive Actions' in South China Sea

The United States State Department issued a strong condemnation on October 13, 2025, against China's recent aggressive actions in the South China Sea. The condemnation followed an incident on October 12, 2025, where a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel rammed and used water cannons against a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, near Thitu Island.

US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott stated that China's 'increasingly coercive actions' and 'sweeping territorial and maritime claims' undermine regional stability and contradict prior commitments to peaceful dispute resolution. The incident, which also saw two other Philippine fisheries vessels targeted with water cannons, resulted in minor structural damage to the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, though no crew members were injured.

Incident Details Near Thitu Island

The confrontation occurred near Thitu Island, known as Pag-asa Island by the Philippines and Zhongye Dao by China, within the disputed Spratly Islands. Philippine officials reported that the Chinese Coast Guard vessel, identified by bow number 21559, fired its water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya before deliberately ramming its stern. The Philippine vessels were reportedly anchored approximately 1.6 to 1.8 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island, engaged in a mission to support Filipino fishermen. This proximity marks it as one of the closest instances of Chinese maritime harassment to Philippine territory.

The Philippines accused China of 'deliberately ramming' its government vessel, while China countered by blaming the Philippines. Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun asserted that the Philippine vessel had 'illegally entered' what China considers its waters near Sandy Cay (Tiexian Reef) and ignored 'repeated stern warnings,' prompting 'control measures' to drive them away.

Reaffirmation of Mutual Defense Treaty

In its statement, the US unequivocally reaffirmed its commitment to the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). The State Department reiterated that Article IV of the treaty 'applies to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.' This reaffirmation underscores Washington's stance on its alliance obligations in the face of escalating tensions in the vital waterway.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to the US condemnation by stating that the United States is the 'biggest source of risks undermining regional stability' and accused Washington of provoking confrontation and creating chaos in the South China Sea. China maintains its claims over most of the South China Sea, a stance that was invalidated by a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling.