19-3-2024 (BEIJING) The Chinese government has asserted that the United States (US) has “no right” to interfere in the South China Sea affairs. This statement came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that Washington remains committed to defending the Philippines from armed attacks in the disputed waters.
As reported by AFP on Tuesday (March 19, 2024), Blinken made these remarks during his visit to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, earlier this week. “The United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines,” emphasized Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a routine press conference in Beijing.
Beijing’s strong reaction was conveyed while Blinken was in Manila on a brief tour of Asia to bolster US support for regional allies against China. This marks Blinken’s second visit since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022.
During his visit, Blinken reiterated the US commitment to defend the Philippines from armed attacks in the waters of the South China Sea, which are subject to territorial disputes involving multiple countries. “Military cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not undermine China’s sovereignty, rights, and maritime interests in the South China Sea, let alone serve as a basis for the Philippines’ illegal claims,” Lin responded to Blinken’s comments.
“China will continue to take necessary steps to firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, as well as uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” he emphasized.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea and seeks to assert its sovereignty in the region despite rival claims from Southeast Asian nations. Beijing also disregards the international arbitration ruling that invalidated its claims in the South China Sea.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated in recent months, with incidents of clashes between vessels from both countries near disputed areas, including a recent dispute two weeks ago. On March 5, Philippine authorities summoned Chinese diplomatic representatives after accusing Chinese Coast Guard ships of triggering two collisions with Philippine vessels and firing water cannons at one of the ships engaged in a logistics supply mission in the South China Sea.
In response to the allegations, China reiterated its commitment to lawfully defend its rights in the South China Sea. “We will lawfully defend our rights in accordance with the law,” reiterated Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a press conference at the annual parliamentary meeting in Beijing.
