US-China WarshipUS Deriving Force to Stop ‘provocative and unsafe’ acts in South China Sea

WASHIGTON (DIARYTIMES)-The United States has called on China to stop its provocative and unsafe conduct in the South China Sea. “We call on China to desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct. The United States is closely tracking and monitoring these interactions,” the State Department said in a statement.

Philippines accuses China’s Coast Guard of aggressive strategy-

The statement came as the Philippines on Friday accused China’s coast guard of “aggressive tactics” following an incident during a Philippine Coast Guard patrol near the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal. In February, the Philippines said that a Chinese ship directed a ‘military-grade laser’ at one of its re-supply ships.

China accuses Philippine ships of trespassing-
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said the Philippine ships intruded into Chinese waters and deliberately took provocative actions. Responding to a question, Ning said, “On April 23, two Philippine Coast Guard ships intruded into the waters of Renai Reef without permission from China. One of them made a deliberate provocative move on board a Chinese Coast Guard vessel. In accordance with the law, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel upheld China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime order by dangerously evading the Philippine vessel and maneuvering in time to avoid the collision. The maneuvers of the Chinese side were professional and restrained.

America stands with the Philippines-
The State Department said the US stands with the Philippines over the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Coast Guard’s continued violations of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. “Photos and videos recently published in the media are a reminder of the PRC harassment and intimidation of Philippine vessels as they conduct routine patrols within their exclusive economic zone,” the State Department said in the statement.

The number of Chinese ships also increased in the Indian Ocean-
Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Saturday that there is a large presence of Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean region. India is keeping a close watch on the developments in the region to protect its national interests. He also said that the Indian Navy is monitoring the stay of various Chinese Navy ships at ports in Pakistan. These ships are anchoring at ports of various countries.