CHINA criticized the U.S. Secretary of State for meddling in the South China Sea dispute between China and the Philippines.
On Tuesday, March 19, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the US delegation at Malacañang.
Blinken mentioned that he was sent by US President Joe Biden to Manila to reaffirm the alliances between Manila and Washington.
He emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is of great importance to his country, particularly in light of challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
“So important to us is even US we’re dealing with those challenges, our focus, our engagement, our commitment to the Indo-Pacific are at large, and to the relationship, the alliance between the United States and the Philippines, in particular, is more than rock solid,” said Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State.
Marcos and Blinken discussed regional security, defense modernization, and economic cooperation amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
On the other hand, Beijing swiftly responded to the statement made by the US official.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian asserted that the U.S. has no right to interfere in maritime issues between China and the Philippines, particularly regarding the South China Sea.
“The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the maritime issues between China and the Philippines,” stated Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.
Lin Jian further explained that military cooperation between Washington and Manila should not undermine Beijing’s sovereignty, rights, and interests in the South China Sea.
“The 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 illegal claims of the Philippines,” added Lin Jian.
The Chinese official also stated that such cooperation should not be used to support alleged illegal claims by the Philippines.
China will continue to take necessary steps to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, as well as promote peace and stability in the South China Sea.
“China will continue to take necessary steps to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Lin Jian stressed.
PBBM to visit America in April for U.S.-Japan-Philippines Trilateral Summit
Meanwhile, Malacañang announced President Marcos’s planned trip to Washington, D.C. on April 11 for the US-Japan-Philippines Trilateral Summit.
The upcoming meeting is expected cover maritime cooperation, infrastructure development, economic resiliency, trade and investments, clean energy, as well as cybersecurity and the digital economy.
