China Blames the Philippines For Employing Foreign Forces To Patrol The Disputed South China Sea

The Philippines engaged “foreign forces” to monitor the South China Sea and was causing havoc, China’s military claimed on Thursday, alluding to joint patrols by Philippine and US forces this week.

The Chinese military has stated that it will maintain maximum vigilance, defend sovereignty and maritime rights, and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Following the Chinese military’s southern theatre command, the Philippines enlisted personnel from outside the region to patrol… stirred up trouble, and participated in the hype, jeopardising regional peace and security.

Philippine authorities said Tuesday that their military and the US initiated coordinated patrols near Taiwan, a democratically run island that China claims as its own, raising the prospect of escalating confrontations with China.

Relations between China and the Philippines have deteriorated over the South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seeks stronger ties with the United States, which backs the Southeast Asian country in its maritime disputes with China.

Per a Chinese foreign ministry official, China has issued warnings to the United States and the Philippines in conjunction with their patrols.

Per China’s spokeswoman, Mao Ning, joint patrols between the Philippines and the United States must not jeopardize China’s territorial sovereignty or maritime rights and interests.

Philippine Armed Forces Chief Romeo Brawner said a Chinese navy vessel shadowed three US and Philippine vessels conducting coordinated patrols on Thursday.

Brawner stated that the event occurred at 10:15 a.m. close to the platform of a natural gas field 27 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan province. There was no difficulty, no dangerous manoeuvres.

According to Brawner, the Philippines met its goal of closely cooperating with its ally, the US, and no untoward incidents occurred.

The Philippine Foreign Ministry and the Office of the National Security Adviser did not reply immediately to requests for comment.

Reference- Reuters

China Blames the Philippines For Employing Foreign Forces To Patrol The Disputed South China Sea appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News