Philippine actions in South China Sea ‘extremely dangerous’: Chinese state media
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Tensions between Beijing and Manila have heightened as both sides trade accusations over a spate of run-ins in the South China Sea.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BEIJING – Chinese state media on Dec 25 accused the Philippines of repeatedly infringing on China’s territory in the South China Sea, spreading false information and colluding with extra-territorial forces to cause trouble.
The Philippines has relied on support from the United States to continually provoke China, with such “extremely dangerous” behaviour seriously harming regional peace and stability, China’s Communist Party mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, wrote in a commentary on Dec 25.
The Philippine foreign ministry and a national task force handling the South China Sea did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report.
Tensions between Beijing and Manila have heightened in recent months as both sides trade accusations over a spate of run-ins in the South China Sea, China rammed a ship earlier in December
China claims most of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. An international tribunal in 2016 invalidated China’s claim in a ruling on a case brought by the Philippines, which Beijing rejects.
In an unusually direct warning, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Dec 21 that any miscalculation in the dispute with the Philippines would bring a resolute response from China, and called for dialogue to address “serious difficulties”.
The souring of bilateral ties coincides with Manila’s moves to bolster military relations with Japan and the US, its former colonial power and defence ally of seven decades.
China expressed anger at the US on Dec 4 for sending a navy ship into waters near the disputed area, where China and the Philippines have had several maritime confrontations.
Washington has frequently used its defence treaty with Manila to “threaten” China, blatantly supporting Philippine violation of Chinese sovereignty and “peddling security anxieties”, the People’s Daily said.
That is “extremely irresponsible and dangerous”, said the commentary, written under the pen name Zhong Sheng, or “Voice of China”, often used to offer the newspaper’s views on foreign policy matters.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news conference on Dec 25: “China will not weaken in its resolve to protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
“That said, China’s door of dialogue remains open. We are ready to work with the Philippines to properly handle maritime issues through negotiation and consultation.” REUTERS
