WASHINGTON: The US has expressed concern over China’s recent behavior towards Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, as the Southeast Asian nation reported Chinese vessels “swarming” south of an oil and gas-rich area in contested waters.
US defense secretary Lloyd Austin, in a readout released on Thursday after a call with Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, called Beijing’s conduct in the disputed sea “coercive and risky.” Austin also reiterated the US’ “ironclad” commitment to defend the Philippines, and that the two countries’ mutual defense treaty covers Coast Guard vessels in the South China Sea.
