ASIATODAY.ID, BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that the United States (US) has no right to interfere in maritime issues in the South China Sea.
“The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in maritime issues between China and the Philippines,” said Lin Jian when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China on Tuesday, March 19 2024.
This was conveyed in response to a statement by United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken who said Washington was committed to assisting the defense of the Philippines if the Philippines was attacked based on the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
Blinken conveyed this at a press conference with Philippine Minister of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday, March 19 2024. The attacks in question include attacks on armed forces, public ships and aircraft as well as coast guard vessels throughout the waters of the South China Sea.
“Military cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not undermine China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, nor should it be used to support the Philippines’ illegal claims,” Lin Jian added.
China, said Lin Jian, will continue to take the necessary steps to safeguard its territorial sovereignty.
“Also to safeguard China’s maritime rights and interests and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” said Lin Jian.
In the press conference, US Secretary of State Blinken said the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty made Washington obliged to participate in defending the Philippines if the island nation’s territory was attacked.
The same thing also applies if Philippine waters, which include parts of the South China Sea, are also attempted to be seized by other countries.
On March 5 2024, an incident occurred where the Philippine coast guard ship, BRP Sindangan, and two ships that were to deliver replacement soldiers and logistics to the Second Thomas coral group were intercepted by a Chinese coast guard ship and a Chinese maritime militia ship.
The Philippine Navy said the Chinese ships fired water cannons and carried out dangerous maneuvers, resulting in a collision that left four personnel on one of the Philippine ships injured.
The Chinese government claims to have sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the islands called “Nanhai Zhudao” in the South China Sea, namely consisting of Dongsha Qundao, Xisha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao and Nansha Qundao or better known as the Pratas Islands, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands and the Macclesfield Edge area.
However, the Philippines has positioned the BRP Sierra Madre warship as a “floating base” for the Philippine coast guard on the reef since 1999.
Currently China and ASEAN are still negotiating the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC).
During Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023, CoC negotiations have reached the “second reading” stage or discussion of the second round of negotiations.
The guidelines, which are the first in history, summarize the aspirations of ASEAN-China to complete the CoC in three years or less through intensive discussion of issues that have been pending. (ANT)
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