US urges China to stop harassing Philippine vessels in South China Sea

The United States urged China on Saturday to stop harassing Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, pledging to stand with the Philippines after another maritime confrontation between the two Asian countries.

The Philippines on Friday accused China's coast guard of aggressive tactics following an incident during a Philippine coast guard patrol close to the Second Thomas Shoal.

China yesterday said, it was willing to handle



maritime differences with countries of concern in the South China Sea through friendly consultations and warned the United States against interference.

China's foreign ministry on Friday said the Philippine vessels had intruded into Chinese waters and made deliberate provocative moves. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis.