‘WE STAND WITH OUR ALLY’: US, Australia slam China over Ayungin clash

National

THE United States (US) and Australia condemned China following the latest Ayungin Shoal confrontation that left a Philippine Navy personnel injured.

US State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said China's actions undermine regional peace and contradict its commitment to peacefully resolve disputes.

“The United States condemns China’s dangerous and

aggressive actions against Philippine navy personnel at Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal in the South China Sea on July 20, 2026, and calls on China to immediately cease its destabilizing conduct,” Pigott said in a Philstar report.

“We stand with our ally, the Philippines, and commend the professionalism and restraint shown by Philippine navy personnel in this incident,” he added.

China's embassy dismissed the US statement as “baseless.”

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also expressed concern over China's actions in the South China Sea.

“We remain concerned about destabilizing and dangerous conduct in the South China Sea, some of which the Philippine Coast Guard knows too well, including the actions by Chinese vessels toward Philippine vessels we witnessed yesterday (Monday) morning,” Wong said.

She added, “Australia stands with you. We salute your professionalism, your dedication and most of all we salute your bravery. Australia and the Philippines are close partners and we are even closer friends.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro raised the incident at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, but the bloc's top diplomats gave no response as talks between Manila and Beijing continued.

Lazaro said ASEAN ministers instead focused on the proposed South China Sea Code of Conduct and is set to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting in Manila.(Feirnchae M. Lim, UP Cebu Comm Intern)