U.S. Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Karl Thomas emphasized to the Philippines on Sunday that it is essential to confront China's "aggressive behavior" in the South China Sea, including the use of its Coast Guard to deploy water cannons against a Philippine vessel. He also reaffirmed U.S. support in addressing common challenges in the region, stating, "My forces are here for a reason."
Thomas told Reuters, "You have to challenge those who operate in a gray manner. When they are gradually taking control and pushing you back, you have to push back and operate." He added, "There is really no better example of aggressive behavior than the action that occurred on August 5 in the shallow waters."
Thomas noted that he had discussions with Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, head of the Philippine Western Command overseeing the South China Sea, to understand the challenges he faces in order to find opportunities to assist him. On that day, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel used water cannons against a Philippine boat carrying supplies for personnel on a Philippine warship that Manila had intentionally sent to the shallow waters in the South China Sea, a contested area between the U.S. and Beijing.
The Seventh Fleet is the largest U.S. Navy fleet deployed outside the United States, based in Japan. It operates up to 70 ships, has around 150 aircraft, and over 27,000 personnel. It operates over an area of 124 million square kilometers from bases in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
