U.S. calls on Beijing to stop 'dangerous' conduct in South China Sea

US calls for China to halt 'dangerous' South China Sea actions after collision. US stands with Philippines in face of China's "dangerous and unlawful" actions in South China Sea. US calls on China to abide by 2016 tribunal ruling and desist from destabilizing conduct.

The United States called Sunday for Beijing to halt its "dangerous and destabilising" actions in the disputed South China Sea, after a Philippine boat and Chinese Coast Guard ship collided near a contested reef.

Both countries traded blame after the incident earlier Sunday, the latest such confrontation in the contested sea.

The collision happened during a Philippine resupply mission to a tiny garrison on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, a flashpoint for Manila and Beijing -- coming a day after another incident near Scarborough Shoal.

On both days Chinese ships "employed water cannons and reckless maneuvers, including forcing a collision, causing damage to Philippine vessels undertaking official supply missions to those locations, and jeopardizing the safety of the Filipino crew," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The ships at Scarborough Shoal "also used acoustic devices, incapacitating the Filipino crew members, and drove away Philippine fishing vessels," he said.

"These actions reflect not only reckless disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos, but also for international law," Mr. Miller said.

Longstanding tensions between Manila and Beijing over the sea have flared in recent months following multiple incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels, including two previous collisions.