Philippines clarifies : No conflict is perpetuated against China
The Philippines denied allegations of provoking conflict in the South China Sea, according to its military spokesperson on Tuesday. The statement was in response to China’s accusation that Manila was intruding into Beijing’s territory. Amid escalating tensions marked by recent maritime incidents, including an alleged ramming of a Philippine military chief’s ship by China, Medel Aguilar clarified that the Philippines adheres to international law. He emphasized the country’s commitment to enforcing its domestic law, particularly within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, where it holds sovereign rights.
Aguilar’s comments followed a report in the People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece, claiming that the Philippines relied on U.S. support to provoke China continuously. The report labeled such behavior as “extremely dangerous” and detrimental to regional peace and stability. In response, Aguilar accused China of engaging in perilous maneuvers leading to collisions at sea, contending that Philippine activities aimed to ensure the safety of vessels and seafarers.
Multiple accusations
The Chinese embassy in Manila, on Tuesday, accused the Philippines of causing tension by sending construction supplies to its grounded navy vessel in the Second Thomas Shoal. According to China, the Philippines, supported by external backing, disregarded China’s goodwill and repeatedly challenged its principles and red lines. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated this perspective, attributing recent events to the Philippines changing its position and deliberately provoking tensions. The ministry expressed hope for the Philippines to choose a sensible path, return to resolving differences through dialogue, and collaborate with China to manage the maritime situation.
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Notably, the Philippines routinely conducts resupply missions for soldiers stationed on an aging warship intentionally grounded in 1999 to safeguard Manila’s maritime claims. China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, encapsulated in its nine-dash line, overlap with the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. A 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling invalidated China’s claims, a stance unacknowledged by Beijing. As tensions persist, both Manila and Beijing blame each other for various maritime incidents.