Two senior officials have stated that Biden will stress that the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty applies to the ship, which the Philippines have purposely marooned to reinforce its claim in the shoal.

“China is underestimating the potential for escalation. We’ve tried to make that clear in a series of conversations . . . that our mutual defence treaty covers Philippine sailors and ships and by extension . . . the Sierra Madre,” one official told the Financial Times.

“China needs to examine its tactics or risk some serious blowback.”

Jose Manuel Romualdez, Philippine ambassador to the US, said both countries hoped that the treaty would never have to be invoked, but cautioned that “we will not hesitate to do so” if justified.

The other official told the publication that China may believe that their actions may not warrant US interference.

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Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the German Marshall Fund, stressed the situation in the shoal could lead to an escalation of tensions between the US and China.

She said: “If Beijing directly attacks Philippine ships or armed forces, Washington would be compelled to respond. A major political crisis between the US and China would ensue, and, at worst, a wider military conflict.”

Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said today that they will continue to maintain a dialogue with China in order to not flare up tensions further.

He added he hopes the newly concluded joint maritime activity with Japan, Australia, and the United States will reduce incidents in the waterway.