Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 29) — United States lawmakers on Friday started their inquiry on China’s “escalating aggression” in the South China Sea, including the use of laser and water cannons on Philippine vessels.
The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee’s agenda was entitled, \”Lasers and Water Cannons: Exposing the Chinese Communist Party’s Harassment in the South China Sea.\”
In her opening statement, committee chairperson Rep. Young Kim said China has long maintained \”illegal claims\” in the South China Sea, spreading propaganda such as the nine-dash line – which Beijing has expanded.
China last month released an updated standard map showing 10 dashes that form a U shape, claiming nearly the entire South China Sea as part of its territory. The area overlaps with the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
READ: PH rejects, protests China’s expanded 10-dash line in South China Sea
Kim also bared that China has illegally dredged nearly 3,200 acres of new land – some of which serve as military outposts that have runways for military aircraft, and isolated research platforms that can port military-grade vessels.
These artificial islands allowed the China Coast Guard (CCG) to maintain a permanent presence in the exclusive economic zones of US allies and partners, including the Philippines, she added.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Linsey Ford, meanwhile, said they’ve witnessed a \”sharp uptick in coercive and risky operational behavior\” by China, threatening the safety of allied and partner forces operating in the South China Sea.
She added that China’s aggressive actions in the disputed waters cannot be considered as \”isolated incidents.\”
In February, the CCG moved \”dangerously close\” then illuminated a green light towards a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel near Ayungin Shoal – causing temporary blindness to its crew members.
Six months later, a China vessel blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine boats headed for Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission to deliver food and supplies to military troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.
Ford said with the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the Philippines will be able to build maritime defenses through combined training, exercises, and interoperability with US forces.
US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs Jung Pak also said China’s use of water cannons against the Philippines was \”dangerous and provocative conduct.\”
\”We stand with our Philippine allies,\” she said. \”An armed attack on Philippines public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.\”
Pak added that an open and accessible South China Sea is vital not only to global peace and stability, but also to the global economy.
