US State Dept criticizes China's 'reckless actions' in South China Sea

The United States State Department criticized China for 'reckless actions' in the South China Sea on Thursday, February 20.

Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson from the US State Department, called on China to cease coercive activities and settle disputes peacefully under international law.

A People's Liberation Army Navy helicopter performed dangerous maneuvers towards a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft over Bajo de Masinloc on February 18, following an earlier incident near Scarborough Shoal.

This follows another unsafe maneuver by a Chinese fighter jet that deployed flares near an Australian aircraft during routine patrols in the South China Sea on February 11.

The US reaffirmed its commitment to support the Philippines through the Mutual Defense Treaty, which covers all Philippine armed forces and public vessels or aircraft anywhere in the South China Sea.

China's claims over almost all of the South China Sea have led to harassment from Chinese military forces for Manila and other claimant states.

European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro also expressed deep concern over these new incidents and reiterated support for upholding international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Awards.