In the ongoing tensions between China and its neighboring countries in the South China Sea, a high-ranking official from the US Navy is speaking out against China’s aggressive actions. Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, commander of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, expressed his concerns over China’s recent use of a water cannon by its coast guard against a Philippine vessel. He stressed the need to challenge and check China’s behavior in the region.
Vice Admiral Thomas assured the Philippines of the United States’ support in facing the shared challenges in the South China Sea. He emphasized the strategic presence of the US Navy in the area, stating that their forces are stationed there for a reason. The Seventh Fleet, the largest forward-deployed fleet of the US Navy, operates with approximately 70 ships, over 150 aircraft, and more than 27,000 sailors.
The fleet covers an extensive area of 124 million square kilometers, with bases in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Vice Admiral Thomas highlighted the importance of standing up to “aggressive behavior” demonstrated by countries operating within a “grey zone,” taking more and more and pushing boundaries. He emphasized the necessity for pushing back and maintaining a strong presence in the region.
Referring to the incident on August 5, when a Chinese coast guard ship used a water cannon against a Philippine boat carrying supplies to troops aboard a grounded warship in the South China Sea, Vice Admiral Thomas labeled it as a prime example of aggressive behavior. He underscored the need for open communication and cooperation with Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, head of the Philippine Western Command responsible for overseeing the South China Sea.
During his visit to Manila, Vice Admiral Thomas engaged in discussions with Vice Admiral Carlos to understand the challenges the Philippines face and explore opportunities for assistance. He emphasized the shared challenges between the United States and the Philippines. In addition, Vice Admiral Thomas flew over the South China Sea to observe the situation firsthand.
The tensions in the region arise from China’s assertive claims of sovereignty over the majority of the South China Sea, despite an international arbitration ruling in 2016 that deemed China’s claims baseless. China’s construction of militarized artificial islands in the disputed region has led to overlapping claims with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
As of now, the Chinese Embassy in Manila has not responded to the concerns raised by Vice Admiral Thomas. However, his remarks shed light on the ongoing tension in the South China Sea and the need for countries to address China’s aggressive behavior in the region.