US, Philippines Alarmed Over China's Maritime Militia Massing At Disputed Reef- Washington

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US, Philippines Alarmed Over China's Maritime Militia Massing at Disputed Reef- Washington

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st April, 2021) The United States and the Philippines have raised concerns over the presence of China's maritime militia vessels near the disputed Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea, the White House said following phone talks between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Philippine counterpart, Hermogenes Esperon.

In late March, the Philippines announced the deployment of additional navy ships to the disputed South China Sea after the national coast guard reported that about 200 vessels believed to be part of the Chinese state-funded maritime militia were seen attached in a line formation in the Whitsun Reef. The Philippines also filed a diplomatic protest over the issue and demanded these vessels leave the area. Beijing, in turn, denied that the boats belonged to the maritime militia.

"National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone today with National Security Advisor Hermogenes Esperon of the Philippines.

The National Security Advisors discussed their shared concerns regarding the recent massing of People's Armed Forces Maritime Militia vessels at Whitsun Reef," the White House said in a statement.

The US official also reaffirmed that Washington considered the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty applicable in the South China Sea, the White House added.

"The National Security Advisors agreed that the United States and the Philippines will continue to coordinate closely in responding to challenges in the South China Sea," the statement said.

The Whitsun Reef belongs to the Spratly archipelago, the territory of which is claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. China considers the Spratly archipelago to be its territory, despite the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which said there was no legal basis for China's maritime claims. The arbitration proceeding was initiated by the Philippines in January 2013.