The United States has urged China to “desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct” following a near-collision in the West Philippine Sea between its coast guard ship and a patrol vessel of the Philippines. Last Friday, the Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) of “aggressive tactics” when one of its ships cut off the BRP Malapascua, putting the Filipino crew in danger. “The United States continues to track and monitor these interactions closely,” the State Department said in a statement released on Saturday (yesterday in Manila).

Lee-Brago, P., & Porcalla, D. (2023, May 1). Stop provocative acts in WPS, US tells China. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 2.