WorldPosted at: Sep 27 2026 5:41PM


US condemns China’s ‘dangerous’ conduct, backs Philippines over second Thomas Shoal standoff

Manila, Sep 27 (UNI) The United States on Sunday strongly condemned what it called “dangerous blocking and other irresponsible maneuvers” by Chinese naval and coast guard vessels that threatened a collision with a Philippine vessel and prevented a “lawful and routine resupply mission” to second Thomas Shoal on September 24.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton said Washington “stand[s] by” its Philippine allies and praised their “professionalism and restraint”, while calling on the China Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to halt “escalatory tactics” that threaten freedom of navigation and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
"The United States strongly condemns the use of dangerous blocking and other irresponsible maneuvers by the China Coast Guard and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) that threatened a collision with a Philippine vessel and prevented a lawful and routine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on September 24," the statement said.
"We stand by our Philippine Allies and laud their professionalism and restraint. We call on the China Coast Guard and PLAN to cease the use of escalatory tactics that threaten the freedom of navigation and a free and open Indo-Pacific," it added.
The US statement came after Chinese warships and coast guard vessels intercepted a Philippine resupply mission to the disputed South China Sea, marking the first publicly reported instance of China blocking such a mission since a provisional arrangement between Manila and Beijing was implemented in July 2024.
The Philippine National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said Chinese forces attempted to “hinder” the mission, putting Filipino personnel at risk and obstructing what it described as a “legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation.”
Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels, BRP Malabrigo and BRP Cabra, were escorting the Philippine Navy-operated resupply vessel Lapu-Lapu when Chinese forces intercepted the mission.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the mission was temporarily suspended after a China Coast Guard vessel carried out “dangerous maneuvers” that threatened a collision with the Lapu-Lapu. No one was injured.
According to Philippine authorities, several Chinese vessels were “continuously shadowing” the Philippine ships. A Coast Guard graphic showed three Chinese cutters shadowing Cabra and Lapu-Lapu, while another 11 China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels were observed near the Philippine Navy's grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas and Sabina Shoals.
The PLAN deployed three warships, including two Type 022-class missile boats, to support the interception.The Sierra Madre, a World War II-era landing ship deliberately grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, serves as a Philippine military outpost and has been a major flashpoint in the territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing, local media reported.
Following a major confrontation on June 17, 2024, the Philippines and China reached a provisional arrangement that enabled Philippine forces to conduct resupply missions to the shoal without harassment. The terms of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed.
Chinese state media outlet Global Times reported that the latest incident occurred because Manila had not obtained Beijing's approval to sail to the shoal. The Philippines has repeatedly denied that the provisional arrangement requires Chinese approval for access to the Sierra Madre.
China described the latest mission as a “provocation”, accusing the Philippines of attempting to deliver supplies to an illegally “grounded” warship and of disregarding Chinese warnings.
Beijing also accused Manila of “reneging on its commitments” and called on the Philippines to “stop provocations and troublemaking.”
Tarriela rejected the Chinese allegations, saying, “The real troublemakers are China’s warships and coast guard vessels that ganged up on an unarmed resupply boat at night and put Filipino lives at risk.”
The incident came amid maritime activity in the region, coinciding with a Philippine-led multinational maritime exercise near Scarborough Shoal involving ASEAN member states and partners including the United States, Australia, India and Japan. UNI AAB CDS
Tags: #US condemns China’s ‘dangerous’ conduct# backs Philippines over second Thomas Shoal standoff
More News

Saudi Arabia warns Gulf tensions threaten global energy security, trade

27 Sep 2026 | 6:49 PM

New York, Sep 27 (UNI) Saudi Arabia warned that escalating tensions and threats in the Middle East were putting international peace, global energy security and trade at risk, urging stronger international cooperation to protect Gulf states and vital waterways.

see more..

UK counter-terror police probe explosives arrests near Fairford Air Base used by US forces

27 Sep 2026 | 6:37 PM

London, Sep 27 (UNI) UK counter-terrorism police launched an investigation after several individuals were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences near Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire, a base used by US forces.

see more..

Six missing after avalanche hits Himlung Himal base camp in Nepal

27 Sep 2026 | 6:05 PM

Kathmandu, Sep 27 (UNI) At least six Nepali support staff are missing after an avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in central Nepal, where climbers and expedition staff were preparing for a mountaineering expedition, organisers said on Sunday.

see more..

US condemns China’s ‘dangerous’ conduct, backs Philippines over second Thomas Shoal standoff

27 Sep 2026 | 5:41 PM

Manila, Sep 27 (UNI) The United States on Sunday strongly condemned what it called “dangerous blocking and other irresponsible maneuvers” by Chinese naval and coast guard vessels that threatened a collision with a Philippine vessel and prevented a “lawful and routine resupply mission” to second Thomas Shoal on September 24.

see more..

China’s VP urges world to defend post-war order, reject unilateral military action

27 Sep 2026 | 5:12 PM

New York, Sep 27 (UNI) China’s Vice President (VP) Han Zheng called on the international community to defend the post-World War II international order and strengthen multilateralism, warning against unilateral military action and confrontation as geopolitical conflicts, development gaps and global challenges intensify.

see more..