China’s military claimed Monday that a U.S. Navy ship unlawfully entered waters near the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed South China Sea atoll that has seen multiple maritime clashes.
In the South China Sea, the BRP Sierra Madre can be seen in an aerial view on the controversial Second Thomas Shoal, which is also referred to as Ayungin by the indigenous folks. (source: File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights)
US Navy Ship Entering Illegally at Second Thomas Shoal
Chinese Southern Theater of Operations spokesperson: “The U.S. seriously undermined regional peace and stability,” disrupting the South China Sea and violating China’s sovereignty. China disputes its large South China Sea territorial claims with numerous neighbors. The USS Gabrielle Giffords, an Independence-class littoral combat ship, was performing routine operations in international seas in the South China Sea, according to international law, the Navy said. The Navy said the 7th Fleet operations in the South China Sea daily for decades. This action shows its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
China has clashed with Philippine ships and opposed U.S. ships patrolling contested areas in recent months. The Chinese military said the U.S. ship entered waters near the Renai Reef, also known as the Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratly Islands. Following a 2016 UN tribunal ruling, the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone includes the Second Thomas Shoal. According to the military spokeswoman, China’s troops in the theater are always on high alert to fiercely defend national sovereignty and watch the US ship. The Navy stated that they will not be deterred from working with our allies and partners to achieve our shared objective of a free and open Indo-Pacific. After seeing an “alarming” surge in Chinese maritime militia vessels around a reef in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the Philippine Coast Guard dispatched two vessels to the South China Sea on Sunday.
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