Second Thomas Shoal stand-off sparks sharp exchange between US, China embassies

AI Summary

The US and Chinese embassies in the Philippines traded accusations after a confrontation near Second Thomas Shoal disrupted a Philippine resupply mission. Washington backed Manila, condemning Chinese maneuvers as dangerous, while the dispute highlights wider tensions over the South China Sea.

Chinese and US embassies in the Philippines exchanged sharp accusations on Sunday following Washington’s defence of its treaty ally after Thursday’s stand-off in the South China Sea. In a written statement issued on Sunday, the US embassy in Manila backed the Philippines and said Beijing’s “dangerous blocking and irresponsible manoeuvres” had threatened a collision and prevented a lawful resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal, one of the flashpoints in the South China Sea disputes. The...