China opposes new US, PH bilateral defense guidelines
Published May 5, 2023 03:13 am
China has objected to the newly crafted Bilateral Defense Guidelines between the Philippines and the United States, claiming that countries surrounding the contested waterway have maintained peace and stability in the region.
Mao Ning, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, said China "firmly opposes any country's move to meddle in the South China Sea issue to harm China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests by citing the guidelines."
Photo courtesy of China's Foreign Ministry
She questioned the need for such since the situation in the contested waterway has been characterized by overall stability "with the concerted efforts of regional countries." Her remarks came amid China's apparent acts of aggression in the South China Sea, which included conducting dangerous maneuvers against foreign vessels' crew as well as fishermen, incursion into others' exclusive economic zone and driving away fisherfolk from their local fishing grounds. "I would like to stress that the South China Sea is the shared home for countries in the region, not a hunting ground for forces outside the region," Mao said said in her regular press briefing on Thursday night. "When regional countries are committed to mutual trust, solidarity, cooperation and properly handling differences, they have in their hand the key to peace and stability in the South China Sea," she added. Meanwhile, on Twitter, former Department of Foreign Affairs secretary and current Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teddy Boy Locsin defended the new defense guidelines between Manila and Washington. He said the US "is not moving to meddle in the South China Sea Arbitral Award issue." "But it must meddle if there is an attack on the public vessels of the only US military treaty ally in the world: the Philippines," he said. Locsin said protecting the Philippines is "the iron obligation of the US" under the Mutual Defense Treaty. The Philippines also has the same obligation for the US, he added. "It is a mutual defense treaty. Neither side gets a free ride," he said.
Photo courtesy of China's Foreign Ministry
She questioned the need for such since the situation in the contested waterway has been characterized by overall stability "with the concerted efforts of regional countries." Her remarks came amid China's apparent acts of aggression in the South China Sea, which included conducting dangerous maneuvers against foreign vessels' crew as well as fishermen, incursion into others' exclusive economic zone and driving away fisherfolk from their local fishing grounds. "I would like to stress that the South China Sea is the shared home for countries in the region, not a hunting ground for forces outside the region," Mao said said in her regular press briefing on Thursday night. "When regional countries are committed to mutual trust, solidarity, cooperation and properly handling differences, they have in their hand the key to peace and stability in the South China Sea," she added. Meanwhile, on Twitter, former Department of Foreign Affairs secretary and current Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teddy Boy Locsin defended the new defense guidelines between Manila and Washington. He said the US "is not moving to meddle in the South China Sea Arbitral Award issue." "But it must meddle if there is an attack on the public vessels of the only US military treaty ally in the world: the Philippines," he said. Locsin said protecting the Philippines is "the iron obligation of the US" under the Mutual Defense Treaty. The Philippines also has the same obligation for the US, he added. "It is a mutual defense treaty. Neither side gets a free ride," he said.