China believes the Philippines’ concern over protecting sea lanes of commerce in the West Philippine Sea as it moves to establish an enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site with the United States is “uncalled for.” China claims freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is not an issue.

China has criticised the Philippines’ concern over protecting the sea lanes of commerce in the West Philippine Sea, as it plans to establish an enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site with the United States. While the Philippines claim the EDCA aims to further improve its capabilities to protect its national interests and contribute to the collective defense in the region, including protecting sea lanes of commerce in the South China Sea, China claims the US has a long list of turmoil, division and devastation left behind, and that forces outside the region are unnecessary. The Philippines and US will establish EDCA sites in four locations in order to purportedly protect the Philippines’ interests; however, some argue that these sites are also aimed at China due to three of the four sites facing the Taiwan Strait. China has said that it would like regional countries to see clearly who is fuelling tensions across the Taiwan Strait.