Two US senators denounce ‘escalating’ Chinese aggression in West Philippine Sea

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., speaks during the Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

WASHINGTON – US Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) have denounced the “escalating” Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea as they introduced a resolution celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the United States and the Philippines.

The resolution reaffirms US commitment to defending the Philippines under the treaty “particularly in the wake of persistent and escalating aggression” by China in the West Philippine Sea, the senators said in a joint statement released this week.

“Chinese harassment against Filipinos simply trying to uphold their territorial sovereignty threatens global trade and security and could result in wider conflict,” said Senator Coons.

He said the US is committed to strengthening the US-Philippines alliance and pledged to “stand with our Filipino partners in their efforts to defend their territorial sovereignty and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Senator Ricketts said this commitment is more important than ever given China’s “increased harassment and intimidation of our allies and partners in the South China Sea.”

“We must continue to send a clear message to Beijing that the United States stands with the Philippines and will act to restore deterrence and ensure our ally can defend itself,” Ricketts said.

FILE – Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts takes part in a panel discussion during a Republican Governors Association conference, Nov. 15, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Senators Coons and Ricketts are both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Philippine government has recently conveyed to China its “complaint and displeasure” over the ramming by the China Coast Guard of Philippine vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on Aug. 31.

It was the fifth incident of Chinese harassment to be recorded in only a month. Other incidents included the blocking of a resupply mission to the Teresa Magbanua five days earlier.

The resolution urges President Joe Biden to take “appropriate and necessary actions in response to escalatory PRC behavior to restore deterrence and help the Philippines defend itself.”

The resolution reaffirms that Article IV of the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on the armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft of the Philippines, including the Philippine Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea.

It considers China’s aggression in the Philippines’ internationally-recognized exclusive economic zone to be direct assaults on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.