'We are thankful none of the Filipino fishermen lost their lives and glad that Vietnamese fishermen rescued them from the open sea,' says the United States
The United States on Friday evening, June 14, rejected coercion and intimidation to assert maritime claims after a Chinese vessel sank a Philippine boat in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
"We saw news reports of the collision at sea. We are thankful none of the Filipino fishermen lost their lives and glad that Vietnamese fishermen rescued them from the open sea," the US embassy said in a statement.
"Our position on the South China Sea is clear: We support lawful uses of the sea, respect for international law, unimpeded lawful commerce, and peace and stability. We urge all parties to refrain from using coercion and intimidation to assert their territorial and maritime claims," the US added.
The US issued this statement around an hour after China admitted a Chinese vessel was involved in the sinking of a Philippine boat near Recto Bank (Reed Bank) in the West Philippine Sea.
Recto Bank is an underwater reef formation that is said to contain huge reserves of oil and natural gas in the West Philippine Sea. While coveted by China, Recto Bank belongs to the Philippines. (READ: Recto Bank: Why China covets what belongs to the Philippines)
Filipino fishermen said a Chinese vessel deliberately sank their boat in the area on June 9, but the Chinese embassy denied there was a "hit and run"near Recto Bank. China claimed the Chinese vessel was in fact "besieged by 7 or 8 Filipino fishing boats," preventing it from rescuing the Filipino fishermen from their sunken boat.
This is the latest twist in this unprecedented episode in the dispute between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea. The incident took place near Recto Bank, an oil-rich underwater reef formation that belongs to the Philippines but is coveted by China. – Rappler.com
Read stories related to the incident:
Chinese vessel sinks Philippine boat in West PH Sea ‘collision’
Sinking of Filipino vessel ‘a first’ in Philippines-China row
TIMELINE: Skirmishes, standoffs, harassment in West Philippine Sea
Hold China accountable, Del Rosario says after sinking of PH boat
AFP: Chinese vessel's sinking of PH boat ‘far from accidental’
Panelo says possible for PH to cut ties with China over boat sinking
Locsin hits ‘collision’ of Philippine, Chinese vessels
Locsin on PH boat sinking: 'Fuck the international community'
Philippines asks China to sanction Chinese crew of vessel in collision
LOOK: Philippine fishing boat sunk by Chinese vessel in West PH Sea
‘Not a friend’: Netizens hit China over sinking of Philippine boat
Owner of PH boat sunk by Chinese ship: 'I only ask for justice'
Lorenzana now unsure if Chinese vessel sank Philippine boat
China calls sinking of Philippine boat an 'ordinary maritime accident'
WATCH: How alleged Chinese ship sank Filipino fishing vessel in West PH Sea
3 speeches in a row, Duterte silent on Chinese ship sinking PH vessel
China envoy vows probe into Philippine boat sinking
WATCH: Crew of Philippine vessel rammed by Chinese ship on their way home
Occidental Mindoro town mayor to Duterte: Let's speak out against China
Navy rebuffs China: PH boat sinking ‘not normal accident’
Lacson, De Lima call for punitive action vs China and its fishermen
Wives wait in limbo for fishermen of sunken vessel to come home
Captain of abandoned PH boat: I'm sure Chinese ship sank us
Recto Bank: Why China covets what belongs to the Philippines
Crew of sunken Philippine boat now home
Arroyo defends Duterte response to Philippine boat sinking
INSIDE STORY: How Filipino crew were saved by Vietnamese in West PH Sea
China claims ship 'besieged by 7 or 8 Filipino boats
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