U.S. Department of State
07/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/20/2026 17:24
China’s Actions Against Philippine Navy Personnel at Second Thomas Shoal
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…China's Actions Against Philippine Navy Personnel at Second Thomas Shoal
hide
China's Actions Against Philippine Navy Personnel at Second Thomas Shoal
The United States condemns China's dangerous and aggressive actions against Philippine navy personnel at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on July 20, 2026, and calls on China to immediately cease its destabilizing conduct. China's troubling pattern of provocation against lawful Philippine maritime operations undermines regional peace and stability and directly contradicts China's repeated commitments to resolve disputes peacefully.
We stand with our Ally, the Philippines, and commend the professionalism and restraint shown by Philippine navy personnel in this incident. We reaffirm the July 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which found that China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea have no basis in international law. That decision is final and legally binding on both China and the Philippines. We will continue to stand with our Allies and partners in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
U.S. Department of State published this content on July 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 20, 2026 at 23:24 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]