CHINA said the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States does not affect its resolve to defend its sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea.
In a statement to The Manila Times on Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said the US is not involved in the South China Sea dispute and should not meddle in it.
The embassy was reacting to US President Joe Biden’s vow that an assault on Philippine forces or assets in the South China Sea would trigger the defense pact.
Chinese Embassy in Manila
“The recent tensions in the South China Sea have been fueled by the US’ support of the Philippines. China remains resolute in defending its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests. The US-Philippines defense agreement does not influence our steadfastness or determination,” the embassy said.
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During a summit with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in Washington this week, Biden emphasized that the US will be unwavering in fulfilling its defense commitment to the two Asian nations.
The US defense pact with the Philippines, which has been in effect for seven decades, mandates mutual support in case of an attack on either country.
Amid confrontations between Philippine and Chinese maritime forces in the South China Sea, Biden said, “our maritime and security partnership is growing stronger… Let me be clear: the US defense commitments to Japan and the Philippines are steadfast.”
On Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing is consistently committed to dialogue and consultation with Manila in keeping the situation in Ayungin Shoal manageable.
Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships have been harassing resupply missions to Ayungin, where the grounded Navy ship Sierra Madre serves as a military outpost.
The statement came hours before the US-Japan-Philippines summit in Washington, which has been described as a “new era of a partnership.”
On Thursday, China insisted it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the Spratly Islands — called Nansha Qundao in Chinese — which includes the Ayungin Shoal.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning said during a briefing that if the Philippine side “genuinely wishes to ease the situation at Renai Reef (the Chinese name for Ayungin) through dialogue and communication, it should prioritize good faith, adhere to agreements, abide by consensus, and cease provocations.”
Mao said the Philippines had “breached its commitments” by refusing to remove the “illegally grounded warship” and “violated China’s sovereignty.”
“China demanded that the Philippines immediately tow away the vessel and restore Renai Reef to its original state, unstaffed and without any facilities,” she said.
China would “never accept” the Philippines’ attempts to transport a large amount of construction materials onto the vessel “to construct fixed facilities and a permanent outpost” and would “firmly and lawfully take measures” to intercept such actions, Mao said.
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