US Accuses China of Blocking Filipino Fishing in South China Sea

The U.S. Department of State released a statement on Monday accusing the People’s Republic of China of attempting to deny Philippine fishing vessels access to the disputed waters of the South China Sea. The allegation centers on a series of incidents in which Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels reportedly blocked or harassed Filipino trawlers operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, citing China’s “unilateral” claims to the area. Washington said the actions violated international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and called on Beijing to respect the rights of Philippine fishermen.

The dispute is part of a broader standoff over sovereignty in the South China Sea, where Manila and several other claimant states contest China’s expansive “nine‑dashed line” claim. The Philippines has repeatedly sought international arbitration and has pursued diplomatic and legal avenues to secure its fishing rights. Washington’s criticism follows a pattern of U.S. statements condemning Chinese maritime practices in the region, and it underscores the continuing tension between Manila’s pursuit of maritime security and Beijing’s assertive enforcement of its territorial claims.