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MANILA: The US government has backed the Philippines’ call for China to respect international law by stopping unlawful deployment of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

“The reported escalating swarms of PRC (People’s Republic of China) vessels in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands interfere with the livelihoods of Philippine fishing communities, and also reflect continuing disregard for other South China Sea claimants and states lawfully operating in the region,” US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

“The United States supports the Philippines’ continued calls upon the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to respect the international law of the sea in the South China Sea, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and its legal obligations pursuant to the 2016 arbitral ruling,” Price added.

Under the UNCLOS where the Philippines and China are signatories, the 200 nautical miles off the territorial sea of a country is its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on a case filed by the Philippines, junked China’s nine-dash line theory claiming the entirety of the South China Sea.

The arbitration court also ruled that Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank are all within the Philippines’ EEZ as provided by the UNCLOS and outlawed China’s action of preventing Filipino fishermen to access Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal.

During US Vice President Kamala Harris visit to Palawan province which is near the West Philippine Sea exactly a month ago on Tuesday, she called on nations to respect the Hague court ruling and issued notice that the US stands with the Philippines “in the face of intimidation and coercion in the South China Sea.”

“The United States – and the broader international community – have a profound stake in the future of this region. America’s prosperity relies on the billions of dollars that flow through these waters every day. And we are proud to work with you in your mission,” Harris said during a speech delivered on board the BRP Teresa Magbanua. Harris gave the speech with members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in attendance. The PCG personnel are the first responders when aggression is committed by foreign forces against Filipino fishing boats and vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

“When the international rules-based order is threatened somewhere, it is threatened everywhere. So the rules and norms that I have discussed today, they matter to the United States, to the Philippines, and to communities around the world. So to all of you here today, I say: The United States-Philippines alliance is strong. We are committed to you. We are committed to your success and to all the lives and livelihoods that rely on your work,” Harris, who also visited the Tagburos fishing village in Palawan threatened by foreign vessel incursions in Philippine waters, added.

Washington reiterated Harris’ stance on Tuesday and expressed concern about the reported unsafe encounter that the Chinese Coast Guard initiated with Philippines’ naval forces in the South China Sea. The Philippine Senate on December 14 condemned the aggression shown by the Chinese Coast Guard in taking suspected rocket debris retrieved by  Philippine Navy personnel.

“The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in upholding the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law,” Price added.