Beijing accuses US of threatening peace and stability after warship passes disputed South China Sea reef

“This fully illustrates that the US is the biggest threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

The USS Gabrielle Gifford, an Independence-class littoral combat ship, conducted combined operations with the Philippine navy in the South China Sea a few days before its voyage past the reef, which is at the centre of recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels.

Philippine troops have been stationed at the shoal since the Philippines deliberately grounded the BRP Sierra Madre, a second world war ship, there in 1999.

Philippine protests that Chinese vessels are blocking its resupply missions or making dangerously close passes have been backed by Washington.

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Marcos Jnr says China showing interest in South China Sea atolls that lie close to the Philippines

Marcos Jnr says China showing interest in South China Sea atolls that lie close to the Philippines

Megan Greene, a public affairs officer from the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan, described the US ship’s movement as “routine operations” that were “consistent with international law”.

“These operations demonstrate we are committed to upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific region where all nations, large and small, are secure in their sovereignty, can resolve disputes without coercion and have the freedom to navigate and fly consistent with international laws, rules and norms,” she said, adding that the US would not be deterred from continuing to work alongside its allies and partners.

Parts of the resource-rich waters, a major international shipping route, are also claimed by Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the US freedom of navigation operation should not come across as “strange” because of Washington’s defence commitments to Manila.

But Beijing may see it as a “prelude” to more explicit support for the Philippines carrying out large-scale construction activities near the Second Thomas Shoal, including work to rehabilitate the Sierra Madre or replace it with a more permanent outpost.

“It’s not just an assertion of freedom of navigation or challenge to China’s accepted claim,” he said. “From Beijing’s point of view, it could be seen as something paving the way for the Philippines carrying out large-scale activities.”

China and the US are trying to restart high-level military talks that were disrupted because of the Covid-19 pandemic but also the trip to Taiwan last year by Nancy Pelosi, the former US House speaker.

Over 135 Chinese boats ‘swarming’ reef off Philippine coast, says Manila

Wang Wenbin, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said on Monday that the Philippines should not make irresponsible remarks about lawful and legitimate acts by Chinese boats, such as fishing or taking shelter.

The US Navy countered that it was on a “routine freedom-of-navigation operation”.