China says Philippines enlists foreign force to stir trouble in South China Sea
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Philippine officials have said their military and the US launched joint patrols on Nov 21 in waters near Taiwan.
PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING – The Philippines “enlisted foreign forces” to patrol the South China Sea and has been stirring up trouble, China’s military said on Nov 23, referring to j oint patrols this week by Philippine and US forces
The Chinese military will maintain high vigilance, resolutely defend sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, China’s military said.
“The Philippines enlisted forces out of the region to patrol... stirred up trouble and engaged in hype, undermining regional peace and stability,” the southern theatre command of the Chinese military said.
Philippine officials have said their military and the US launched joint patrols on Nov 21 in waters near Taiwan, a democratically governed island that China claims as its own, raising the possibility of further tensions with China.
Relations have soured between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, as he pivots towards closer ties with the US, which supports the South-east Asian nation in its maritime disputes with China.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Nov 22 that China had warned the US and the Philippines in connection with their patrols.
“China has made clear its position to the Philippines and the US that the Philippine-US joint patrols must not undermine China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” said spokeswoman Mao Ning.
A Chinese navy ship shadowed three US and Philippine warships conducting joint patrols on Thursday, the Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner told reporters.
The incident occurred at around 10.15am local time near the platform of a natural gas field 27 nautical miles off Palawan province, General Brawner said. “There was no challenge, no dangerous manoeuvres.”
The Philippines achieved its goal of closely operating with its ally the US and there was no untoward incident, General Brawner added.
The Philippine Foreign Ministry and the national security adviser’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. REUTERS
