The United States expresses concern about the dispute in the South China Sea

Joe Biden, President of the United States, once again issued a warning to China due to the recent events in the South China Sea. In this sense, Thomas Shoal II, a submerged reef in that area occupied by the Philippines, has once again been the focus of attention due to the sovereignty dispute with the Asian giant.

According to various media reports, the US President will express his concerns about the alleged reef at the upcoming US-Philippines-Japan summit, which will be held later this week. In this context, two senior officials stated that Biden emphasized that the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines applies to the Philippines. Sierra Madrewhich the Philippines deliberately abandoned to strengthen its claim to the sandbar.

These actions occurred recently when three Filipino sailors were injured, in the latest escalation of tension between Beijing and Manila on March 23, after the Chinese Coast Guard used a water cannon against the Sierra Madre, a ship that had been stranded for 25 years. .

“China is downplaying the possibility of escalation. We have tried to make it clear in a series of talks . . . that our mutual defense treaty includes Filipino sailors and ships, and therefore . . . the Sierra Madre.”This was told by an official to the Financial Times. Finally, Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine ambassador to the United States, said that both countries hope to never have to activate the treaty, but he cautioned against “We will not hesitate to do so.” If it is justified.

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