US House starts probe on Chinese 'harassment' in disputed waters

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 29) — United States lawmakers on Friday started their inquiry on China's «escalating aggression» in the South China Sea, including the use of laser and water cannons on Philippine vessels.

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee's agenda was entitled, «Lasers and Water Cannons: Exposing the Chinese Communist Party's Harassment in the South China Sea.»

In her opening statement, committee chairperson Rep. Young Kim said China has long maintained «illegal claims» in the South China Sea, spreading propaganda such as the nine-dash line – which Beijing has expanded.

China last month released an updated standard map showing 10 dashes that form a U shape, claiming nearly the entire South China Sea as part of its territory. The area overlaps with the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

READ: PH rejects, protests China’s expanded 10-dash line in South China Sea

Kim also bared that China has illegally dredged nearly 3,200 acres of new land – some of which serve as military outposts that have runways for military aircraft, and isolated research platforms that can port military-grade vessels.

These artificial islands allowed the China Coast Guard (CCG) to maintain a permanent presence in the exclusive economic zones of US allies and partners, including the Philippines, she added.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Linsey Ford, meanwhile, said they've witnessed a «sharp uptick in coercive and risky operational behavior» by China, threatening the safety of allied and partner forces operating in the South China Sea.

She added that China's aggressive actions in the disputed waters