Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared his country's determination to defend its territory against what he termed Chinese aggression and illegal actions, vowing "pushback" if sovereignty is questioned. This stance comes amid a series of incidents, including China's regulatory actions against Philippine ships near Ren'ai Jiao and increased activities by the China Coast Guard near the Kinmen Islands following a fatal fishing boat accident. The Philippines has made a U-turn on the South China Sea code of conduct, indicating ongoing tensions. The U.S. has expressed support for the Philippines, condemning China's "dangerous and unlawful actions" against Philippine vessels and reaffirming its commitment under the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to defend against armed attacks in the region, amidst "Renewed provocations" by China. China, on the other hand, accuses the U.S. of using the Philippines as a pawn in the conflict. Amid these developments, the Philippine Senate's approval of the "Maritime Zones Act" has drawn strong opposition from China, which claims it violates its territorial sovereignty.
NEW: China says US using Philippines as ‘pawn’ in South China Sea https://t.co/zJJL3ghHTD
#Philippines's top security officials said the dramatic stand-off with Beijing in the South #China Sea this week was the most serious incident between the countries, but vowing not to back down in asserting the country's sovereign rights https://t.co/Jb6tHo1XCS
"The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft—including those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the South China Sea." https://t.co/NylZ6zdi5B
#Philippines tells #China: Order ships to leave Ayungin Shoal The Philippines summoned China’s second highest diplomat in Manila on Tuesday to demand that Beijing order all Chinese vessels to leave Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, after their “dangerous… https://t.co/pElvAhceHi
South China Sea collision not reason to invoke defence treaty with U.S., says Philippine president https://t.co/hMn1EylF0N https://t.co/GQRC7uKfw3
#NewsAlert | China says US using Philippines as 'pawn' in South China Sea. (Reported by news agency AFP)
#BREAKING China says US using Philippines as 'pawn' in South China Sea https://t.co/wkv4k56dBg
⚠️ SOUTH CHINA SEA COLLISION NOT REASON TO INVOKE DEFENCE TREATY WITH U.S., SAYS PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Full Story → https://t.co/b3g71SIuOO A recent collision of Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea is not the time or reason to invoke a Mutual Defense Treaty… https://t.co/Rtfod1Vtji
Six Chinese fishing boats were found to be violating Vanuatu's fisheries law after being inspected by local police who were on board the first US Coast Guard boat to patrol the waters of the Pacific Islands nation, Vanuatu police and officials said https://t.co/dAx3d0jloh
⚠️ VANUATU POLICE, AIDED BY US COAST GUARD, SAY CHINESE VESSELS VIOLATED FISHING LAWS Full Story → https://t.co/irvBuDj7Xt Six Chinese fishing boats were found to be violating Vanuatu's fisheries law after being inspected by local police who were on board the first U.S. Coast… https://t.co/Svm3mO4gG9
🔴 STATE DEPARTMENT: US SUPPORTS PHILIPPINES AMID CHINA'S PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS
China firmly opposes the Philippine Senate approving "Maritime Zones Act," which severely violates China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights & interests in #SouthChinaSea, a Chinese FM spokesperson said Tue, adding China has lodged solemn démarches to the #Philippines. https://t.co/lEKXfzJ6qe
🔴 US CONDEMNS CHINA FOR REPEATEDLY OBSTRUCTING PHILIPPINE VESSELS' HIGH SEAS FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION
🔴 STATE DEPT: US SUPPORTS PHILIPPINES AFTER CHINA'S PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA
Renewed provocations by the People’s Republic of China against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea put the lives of the Filipino crew at risk and showed disregard for international law. We stand with our Philippine ally.
U.S. STANDS WITH OUR PHILIPPINE ALLIES IN THE FACE OF THESE DANGEROUS AND UNLAWFUL ACTIONS - STATE DEPT
U.S. IS TALKING TO THE PHILIPPINES ABOUT RECENT 'PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS' BY CHINA - STATE DEPT
China on Tuesday expressed strong protest against the Philippines over four of its vessels' "illegal intrusion" into the waters adjacent to China's Ren'ai Jiao. https://t.co/lWziwdkm4V
#Philippines President Marcos vows ‘pushback’ if sovereignty over WPS ‘questioned, ignored’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines would continue to engage #China on mutual interests but would “push back” if the Philippines’ sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea… https://t.co/2YBjpW3dYG
The China Coast Guard has apparently stepped up its activities near the Kinmen Islands, which are effectively controlled by Taiwan, following a fatal fishing boat accident last month. https://t.co/P69kjsO4xf
China takes regulatory actions against Philippine ships near Ren'ai Jiao https://t.co/RjjnJLocFf
Philippines’ U-turn on South China Sea code of conduct a sign tensions remain stumbling block to progress https://t.co/Bzc4zqZ1Rg
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday that he had no choice but to defend his country's territory in the South China Sea against what he called Chinese aggression and illegal actions in pursuit of Beijing's own territorial claims. https://t.co/VcxWQ2UOnt