Vessels Damaged & Philippine Sailor Severely Injured Latest Chinese Aggression

[Social Media]

 

A Philippine sailor has sustained severe injuries after Chinese forces obstructed an Armed Forces of the Philippines resupply mission in the South China Sea. This mission aimed to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) outpost at Second Thomas Shoal. The incident also caused damage to several Philippine vessels, as confirmed by Pentagon officials to USNI News. The sailor was injured due to what has been described as the “PRC vessels’ dangerous and deliberate use of water cannons, ramming, and blocking maneuvers,” according to a statement from U.S. Army Maj Pete Nguyen, a spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. This incident marks the third time Philippine personnel have been injured during resupply missions to the Marine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal, an area frequently contested by China and the Philippines.

 

The South China Sea, particularly Second Thomas Shoal, has been a hotspot for numerous confrontations between China and the Philippines, with recent incidents escalating in severity. Earlier instances of such conflicts have resulted in injuries to Philippine sailors, with the first reported case occurring in March, where four sailors were hurt. Although the Pentagon did not specify which Philippine vessels were involved, Ray Powell, director of the SeaLight Project at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, observed the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Bacagay (MRRV-4110) operating near Second Thomas Shoal. The vessel was reportedly surrounded by Chinese ships at the time of the incident.

 

Despite the Pentagon’s referral of further inquiries to the Philippine government, Manila has not released any images or a detailed timeline of events, a departure from their usual practice of promptly sharing visual evidence following Chinese blockades. Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, refrained from commenting on the incident, citing it as an Armed Forces of the Philippines operation. Tarriela has previously been swift in issuing statements regarding Chinese blockades.

 

Chinese state media was the first to report the incident, justifying the actions of the China Coast Guard as lawful “control measures” against the Philippine vessels. According to the Chinese report, the Philippine resupply vessel violated International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, placing the blame for the collision entirely on the Philippines. “The responsibility for the incident lies entirely with the Philippine side,” the China Coast Guard asserted in their release. Conversely, a statement from the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea accused ships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy, China Coast Guard, and Chinese Maritime Militia of performing “dangerous maneuvers.” However, this statement did not mention any injuries to Philippine personnel. It also claimed that Chinese forces rammed and towed Philippine vessels, though the extent of these actions remains unclear. This is reportedly the first instance of China towing Philippine vessels in their South China Sea disputes, an action defined as pulling, pushing, or hauling.

 

The Pentagon has expressed strong support for the Philippines, condemning China’s actions. “We stand with our Philippine allies and condemn the escalatory and irresponsible actions by the PRC to deny the Philippines from executing a lawful maritime operation in the South China Sea,” reads the Pentagon statement. The U.S. and the Philippines have a mutual defense pact that could be invoked if Chinese forces attack Philippine military or coast guard personnel. This was reiterated by a March U.S. State Department statement, affirming that the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty covers armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea.

 

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has previously warned that the death of any Filipino in South China Sea operations would cross a significant threshold. “If a Filipino citizen was killed by a willful act, that is very close to what we define as an act of war,” Marcos stated in May during the Shangri-La Dialogue. “We would have crossed the Rubicon. Is that a red line? Almost certainly.” The ongoing confrontations in the South China Sea highlight the volatile nature of the region and the complexities of the geopolitical landscape. The latest incident underscores the escalating risks and the potential for conflict between the involved nations, with significant implications for regional security and international relations.

 

This incident is not just a clash of vessels at sea but a manifestation of the broader geopolitical struggle between China and its neighbors, backed by their respective allies. The South China Sea is a critical waterway, rich in resources and strategic importance, making it a focal point of territorial disputes. The Philippines, backed by the United States, has been asserting its claims against China’s expansive territorial assertions, which include building and militarizing artificial islands.

 

The international community watches closely as these incidents unfold, understanding that the South China Sea’s stability affects global trade routes and regional security dynamics. The aggressive maneuvers by Chinese vessels and the resulting injuries to Philippine sailors have further strained relations and could potentially lead to more significant confrontations if not addressed through diplomatic channels.

 

The United States has reiterated its commitment to the defense of the Philippines, emphasizing that any attack on Philippine forces would trigger mutual defense obligations under existing treaties. This commitment underscores the strategic importance of the Philippines to U.S. interests in the region and serves as a warning to China about the potential consequences of its actions.

 

The situation remains tense, with the possibility of further incidents as both nations continue to assert their claims in the contested waters. The international community, particularly ASEAN and other regional stakeholders, may need to intervene to de-escalate tensions and promote a peaceful resolution to the disputes. The South China Sea’s future remains uncertain, with each incident bringing the region closer to a potential flashpoint.

 

UPDATE: U.S. Condemns China Over Aggressive Actions in South China Sea Incident

The United States has strongly condemned China following a collision between a Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship in the disputed South China Sea. This incident, which occurred near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, is the latest in a series of confrontations that have heightened tensions and raised the risk of a larger conflict in this strategically important waterway.

 

The collision took place early Monday, according to statements from both nations, each blaming the other for the incident. The United States has voiced its support for the Philippines, condemning China's actions as "aggressive" and "dangerous." MaryKay Carlson, the U.S. ambassador to Manila, took to social media platform X to criticize China's maneuvers, which she said "caused bodily injury" and "damaged Philippine vessels."

 

Credit: US Naval Institute | CNN 2024-06-19

 

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[Tug]

Sure would be nice for the worlds navy’s to start providing escort services to the Philippine navy show the flag a bit and help Philippino morale 

[Hawaiian]

8 hours ago, Tug said:

Sure would be nice for the worlds navy’s to start providing escort services to the Philippine navy show the flag a bit and help Philippino morale 

An Australian perspective that agrees with you.  https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-philippines-high-stakes-options-at-second-thomas-shoal

Edited June 19 by Hawaiian

[spidermike007]

China is not wearing its new found power lightly, and they are becoming a major bully in the region. Claiming the entire South China Sea is beyond preposterous, and they need to be taken to task for this.

 

Resist China in whatever way is possible, do not buy Chinese products if at all possible, let the Chinese know how obnoxious their government is. 

[Purdey]

The Philippines needs stronger water pistols and steel rams on the front of their ships.

[Hawaiian]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

China is not wearing its new found power lightly, and they are becoming a major bully in the region. Claiming the entire South China Sea is beyond preposterous, and they need to be taken to task for this.

 

Resist China in whatever way is possible, do not buy Chinese products if at all possible, let the Chinese know how obnoxious their government is. 

Many wealthy Chinese already know how obnoxious their government is.  They are fleeing the country and moving mostly to the U.S., Canada and Singapore.  These are individuals with a net worth of ten million to one billion dollars. Last year, about 13,000 left and his year will see over 15,000.

 

[neeray]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

China is not wearing its new found power lightly, and they are becoming a major bully in the region. Claiming the entire South China Sea is beyond preposterous, and they need to be taken to task for this.

 

Resist China in whatever way is possible, do not buy Chinese products if at all possible, let the Chinese know how obnoxious their government is. 

I would very much like to support this concept as proposed but at this time, I and hundreds of millions of others would have to go without in many cases, as there are no alternatives. The west embraced Chinese goods way back in the last century, the alternatives for the most part, disappeared. The west made China the powerhouse that they are today.

[placeholder]

16 minutes ago, neeray said:

I would very much like to support this concept as proposed but at this time, I and hundreds of millions of others would have to go without in many cases, as there are no alternatives. The west embraced Chinese goods way back in the last century, the alternatives for the most part, disappeared. The west made China the powerhouse that they are today.

Actually, a lot of manufacturing is moving out of China. 

[neeray]

5 hours ago, placeholder said:

Actually, a lot of manufacturing is moving out of China. 

Thank you. I am very aware of that fact but only the equivalent of a drop in the bucket has moved out so far.

[Hawaiian]

4 hours ago, neeray said:

Thank you. I am very aware of that fact but only the equivalent of a drop in the bucket has moved out so far.

A major concern I see is that all companies operating in China must give the government access to proprietary information.  This is definitely a security threat to the U.S. In order to comply, Microsoft was required to give the government access for its Windows operating system.  It's no secret how this information will be misused.  Next is AI which the Chinese are already weaponizing.

[Gweiloman]

Go China! Do whatever you need to, to defend your sovereignty and national security. It is no less than what that other country would do. Don’t be bullied! The global majority is firmly behind you.

[Bkk Brian]

Chinese fighting with axes and knives against the unarmed Philippines.

 

 

[Hawaiian]

4 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Chinese fighting with axes and knives against the unarmed Philippines.

 

 

This is getting serious.

https://voanews.com/a/philippines-demands-china-return-rifles-pay-for-boat-damage-in-sea-clash/7663015.html

What will it take before the U.S. steps in and the fireworks  starts?

Edited June 20 by Hawaiian

[spidermike007]

15 hours ago, neeray said:

I would very much like to support this concept as proposed but at this time, I and hundreds of millions of others would have to go without in many cases, as there are no alternatives. The west embraced Chinese goods way back in the last century, the alternatives for the most part, disappeared. The west made China the powerhouse that they are today.

I agree to some extent. But, there are some choices we have. Avoiding the purchase of a Chinese car is a good start. There are some product lines which avoid Chinese production, or are dramatically limiting production in China, like Black and Decker, Dell, HP, Nike, Hasbro, Intel, LG, Puma, Sharp, Google, Go Pro, Sony, Blackrock, Nintendo, Steve Madden, Gap, and Under Armour. Every little bit helps, and every choice we make can impact the heinous leadership of China, and the horrific, genocidal CCP.

 

Xi
I allow no personal freedom to my people. 

We harvest organs for profit and punishment. 

We oppress our minority populations. 

We barely allow any imports and make it difficult for companies to sell their products in China. 

We ignore territorial boundaries and claim ownership of the South China Sea. 

We are nearly the only nation to subscribe to a zero covid policy, even if it means putting millions out of work. 

I have just been appointment PM for life. Or, close to it. 

Impressive, huh? Want to be like us?

Respect must be earned, and never freely given. Same applies to goodwill. China, do something to earn some goodwill. You want credibility on the world stage? Start behaving like a responsible nation. Stop behaving in a ridiculous manner, and like that of a bully, in the South China Sea. It has been centuries since a nation insisted it's territorial waters extended a thousand miles or more, from it's border. We would refer to that as self applied egg on the face. OK? When you develop a vaccine intended for world consumption, try a little harder. Thy to obtain an efficacy rate that rivals the others, and is not at the bottom of the list. It just reinforces the notion that Chinese made goods are of inferior quality. 

Stop the harvesting of organs from political prisoners. Many practitioners have reported that, while they were in China’s extensive network of detention centres and forced labour camps, they were tortured. Evidence indicates that Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetans and other prisoners have been further subject to forced live organ harvesting. 

https://www.healtheuropa.eu/forced-organ-harvesting-one-of-the-worst-mass-atrocities-of-this-century/97035/

Stop locking up those who are different from the masses, such as the Falun Gong disciples, and the Uyghur Muslims. Behaving like a civilized nation might earn you some respect.
 

 

With the US-China trade war showing no sign of abating, Stanley Black & Decker is also on the move. The industrial tools and household hardware maker permanently closed its factory in Shenzhen in November 2021 after 25 years of operation.

 

Samsung Electronics is another tech business turning its back on China, and has announced it will invest $230 billion (£185.6bn) to build five chip factories across South Korea. The company shut its remaining smartphone factory in China in 2019, reportedly turning the city where it was based into a ghost town.

 

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/why-27-western-brands-abandoning-170200239.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFab4wIRRaqAGklEQR6zNz5K3zPnu-5RlAQ2RI_nbUYueqrAqYToVDEFrYNzsM95E0HiaymjajWJI1bBCG0QK3FGlHUR0ar96jbpmDR2FkTXbCIQnFWCSOdD4loOPMVMcjFCG7ruiyK6hkzc11DARoUvEal14Y7yd5cyKBtJEtmW

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 20 by spidermike007

[Hawaiian]

11 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree to some extent. But, there are some choices we have. Avoiding the purchase of a Chinese car is a good start. There are some product lines which avoid Chinese production, or are dramatically limiting production in China, like Black and Decker, Dell, HP, Nike, Hasbro, Intel, LG, Puma, Sharp, Google, Go Pro, Sony, Blackrock, Nintendo, Steve Madden, Gap, and Under Armour. Every little bit helps, and every choice we make can impact the heinous leadership of China, and the horrific, genocidal CCP.

 

Xi
I allow no personal freedom to my people. 

We harvest organs for profit and punishment. 

We oppress our minority populations. 

We barely allow any imports and make it difficult for companies to sell their products in China. 

We ignore territorial boundaries and claim ownership of the South China Sea. 

We are nearly the only nation to subscribe to a zero covid policy, even if it means putting millions out of work. 

I have just been appointment PM for life. Or, close to it. 

Impressive, huh? Want to be like us?

Respect must be earned, and never freely given. Same applies to goodwill. China, do something to earn some goodwill. You want credibility on the world stage? Start behaving like a responsible nation. Stop behaving in a ridiculous manner, and like that of a bully, in the South China Sea. It has been centuries since a nation insisted it's territorial waters extended a thousand miles or more, from it's border. We would refer to that as self applied egg on the face. OK? When you develop a vaccine intended for world consumption, try a little harder. Thy to obtain an efficacy rate that rivals the others, and is not at the bottom of the list. It just reinforces the notion that Chinese made goods are of inferior quality. 

Stop the harvesting of organs from political prisoners. Many practitioners have reported that, while they were in China’s extensive network of detention centres and forced labour camps, they were tortured. Evidence indicates that Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetans and other prisoners have been further subject to forced live organ harvesting. 

https://www.healtheuropa.eu/forced-organ-harvesting-one-of-the-worst-mass-atrocities-of-this-century/97035/

Stop locking up those who are different from the masses, such as the Falun Gong disciples, and the Uyghur Muslims. Behaving like a civilized nation might earn you some respect.
 

 

With the US-China trade war showing no sign of abating, Stanley Black & Decker is also on the move. The industrial tools and household hardware maker permanently closed its factory in Shenzhen in November 2021 after 25 years of operation.

 

Samsung Electronics is another tech business turning its back on China, and has announced it will invest $230 billion (£185.6bn) to build five chip factories across South Korea. The company shut its remaining smartphone factory in China in 2019, reportedly turning the city where it was based into a ghost town.

 

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/why-27-western-brands-abandoning-170200239.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFab4wIRRaqAGklEQR6zNz5K3zPnu-5RlAQ2RI_nbUYueqrAqYToVDEFrYNzsM95E0HiaymjajWJI1bBCG0QK3FGlHUR0ar96jbpmDR2FkTXbCIQnFWCSOdD4loOPMVMcjFCG7ruiyK6hkzc11DARoUvEal14Y7yd5cyKBtJEtmW

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently bought a GE refrigerator that is basically a just a bigger model than my old GE appliance.  The shelving is  flimsy compared to the refrigerator I replaced.  Old one made in the USA, new one made in China by Haier which bought GE's appliance division.  This will be my last GE product.

The Chinese continue to buy iconic American brands, such as IBM's sale of its personal computer division to Lenovo and WH Groups aquisition of major pork producer Smithfield Foods.

[Celsius]

On 6/19/2024 at 5:29 AM, Tug said:

Sure would be nice for the worlds navy’s to start providing escort services to the Philippine navy show the flag a bit and help Philippino morale 

 

Yes. Thais for example. They had plenty of practice 

 

[spidermike007]

Hitachi makes many of their products in Thailand. Many brands are made here. Makes sense to support them over Chinese made units.

Samsung refrigerators are made in South Korea, Germany, China, Hungary, South Africa, Luxemburg, Sweden, and India.

LG’s primary production vendor for fridges and washers is stated to be in the Indian sub-continent.

Samsung’s Washer Dryer combos and fridges are said to be manufactured in South Korea.

Sharp -some of its microwave ovens and fridges are said to be manufactured in Thailand.

Westinghouse: While some products are stated to be manufactured in Australia, including its ovens, others are imported from Europe, China and South-East Asia. In particular, some fridges are claimed to be from Thailand and some dishwashers from Turkey.

Mitsubishi makes many products in Japan.

Miele - made in Germany.

 

I will keep trying to avoid buying any major product made in China.

[Gweiloman]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree to some extent. But, there are some choices we have. Avoiding the purchase of a Chinese car is a good start. There are some product lines which avoid Chinese production, or are dramatically limiting production in China, like Black and Decker, Dell, HP, Nike, Hasbro, Intel, LG, Puma, Sharp, Google, Go Pro, Sony, Blackrock, Nintendo, Steve Madden, Gap, and Under Armour. Every little bit helps, and every choice we make can impact the heinous leadership of China, and the horrific, genocidal CCP.

 

Xi
I allow no personal freedom to my people. 

We harvest organs for profit and punishment. 

We oppress our minority populations. 

We barely allow any imports and make it difficult for companies to sell their products in China. 

We ignore territorial boundaries and claim ownership of the South China Sea. 

We are nearly the only nation to subscribe to a zero covid policy, even if it means putting millions out of work. 

I have just been appointment PM for life. Or, close to it. 

Impressive, huh? Want to be like us?

Respect must be earned, and never freely given. Same applies to goodwill. China, do something to earn some goodwill. You want credibility on the world stage? Start behaving like a responsible nation. Stop behaving in a ridiculous manner, and like that of a bully, in the South China Sea. It has been centuries since a nation insisted it's territorial waters extended a thousand miles or more, from it's border. We would refer to that as self applied egg on the face. OK? When you develop a vaccine intended for world consumption, try a little harder. Thy to obtain an efficacy rate that rivals the others, and is not at the bottom of the list. It just reinforces the notion that Chinese made goods are of inferior quality. 

Stop the harvesting of organs from political prisoners. Many practitioners have reported that, while they were in China’s extensive network of detention centres and forced labour camps, they were tortured. Evidence indicates that Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetans and other prisoners have been further subject to forced live organ harvesting. 

https://www.healtheuropa.eu/forced-organ-harvesting-one-of-the-worst-mass-atrocities-of-this-century/97035/

Stop locking up those who are different from the masses, such as the Falun Gong disciples, and the Uyghur Muslims. Behaving like a civilized nation might earn you some respect.
 

 

With the US-China trade war showing no sign of abating, Stanley Black & Decker is also on the move. The industrial tools and household hardware maker permanently closed its factory in Shenzhen in November 2021 after 25 years of operation.

 

Samsung Electronics is another tech business turning its back on China, and has announced it will invest $230 billion (£185.6bn) to build five chip factories across South Korea. The company shut its remaining smartphone factory in China in 2019, reportedly turning the city where it was based into a ghost town.

 

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/why-27-western-brands-abandoning-170200239.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFab4wIRRaqAGklEQR6zNz5K3zPnu-5RlAQ2RI_nbUYueqrAqYToVDEFrYNzsM95E0HiaymjajWJI1bBCG0QK3FGlHUR0ar96jbpmDR2FkTXbCIQnFWCSOdD4loOPMVMcjFCG7ruiyK6hkzc11DARoUvEal14Y7yd5cyKBtJEtmW

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’re a laugh a minute. Thank you.

 

40 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Hitachi makes many of their products in Thailand. Many brands are made here. Makes sense to support them over Chinese made units.

Samsung refrigerators are made in South Korea, Germany, China, Hungary, South Africa, Luxemburg, Sweden, and India.

LG’s primary production vendor for fridges and washers is stated to be in the Indian sub-continent.

Samsung’s Washer Dryer combos and fridges are said to be manufactured in South Korea.

Sharp -some of its microwave ovens and fridges are said to be manufactured in Thailand.

Westinghouse: While some products are stated to be manufactured in Australia, including its ovens, others are imported from Europe, China and South-East Asia. In particular, some fridges are claimed to be from Thailand and some dishwashers from Turkey.

Mitsubishi makes many products in Japan.

Miele - made in Germany.

 

I will keep trying to avoid buying any major product made in China.

Hitachi, Sharp and Mitsubishi are Japanese companies. Samsung and LG are South Korean. Nevertheless, regardless of where their products are made, a,lot of the components are sourced from Chinese companies. So good luck with your purchases. I hope you don’t own an iPhone (shhhh… they are made in China).

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

You’re a laugh a minute. Thank you.

 

Hitachi, Sharp and Mitsubishi are Japanese companies. Samsung and LG are South Korean. Nevertheless, regardless of where their products are made, a,lot of the components are sourced from Chinese companies. So good luck with your purchases. I hope you don’t own an iPhone (shhhh… they are made in China).

No, I lost interest in iPhones for a dozen good reasons, and I use a Samsung Galaxy Ultra (it blows away the iPhone). Thankfully Samsung stopped production in China in 2019, so I am enjoying a smartphone that's does not benefit a foul communist regime. 

[tonbridgebrit]

On 6/19/2024 at 8:19 AM, spidermike007 said:

China is not wearing its new found power lightly, and they are becoming a major bully in the region. Claiming the entire South China Sea is beyond preposterous, and they need to be taken to task for this.

 

Resist China in whatever way is possible, do not buy Chinese products if at all possible, let the Chinese know how obnoxious their government is. 

Oh, so China claiming the entire South China Sea is preposterous ?

You do realise numerous countries have islands that are very far away from them ? Why on earth does the US government have weapons on an island called Diego Garcia, in the middle of the Indian Ocean ?

And you do realise that Republic of China, Taiwan,  also claims ownership of the South China Sea ?  

 

Edited June 21 by tonbridgebrit

[tonbridgebrit]

On 6/20/2024 at 8:03 AM, Celsius said:

 

Yes. Thais for example. They had plenty of practice 

 

 

If there was a war between China and the USA,  Thailand would stay out of it, or, jump in with China.  

[placeholder]

3 hours ago, tonbridgebrit said:

Oh, so China claiming the entire South China Sea is preposterous ?

You do realise numerous countries have islands that are very far away from them ? Why on earth does the US government have weapons on an island called Diego Garcia, in the middle of the Indian Ocean ?

And you do realise that Republic of China, Taiwan,  also claims ownership of the South China Sea ?  

 

Diego Garcia is actually part of the UK and is a relic of colonialism. The UK is not trying to regain control of territory that it has lost due to lack of popular support. It certainly isn't creating artificial islands to establish any claims. China should give up laying claim to territory that it either never controlled or lost control of long ago.