The People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, wrote on Monday that “the Philippines relied on the support of the United States to continuously provoke China with such extremely dangerous behavior, which seriously harms regional peace and stability.”
Tensions between Beijing and Manila have risen in recent months, with the two sides trading accusations over a series of disputes in the South China Sea, including accusations that China rammed a ship this month carrying the chief of staff of the Philippine Armed Forces.
China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia.
In 2016, an international court invalidated China’s claims in a ruling in a case brought by the Philippines, which Beijing rejects.
In an unusually direct warning, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last week that any miscalculation in the dispute with the Philippines would lead to a firm response from China, and called for dialogue to address “serious difficulties.”
The tension in bilateral relations coincides with Manila’s moves to strengthen military relations with the United States and Japan.
China expressed its anger at the United States this month for sending a naval ship to waters near the disputed region, where China and the Philippines have engaged in several naval confrontations.
The People’s newspaper said that Washington has repeatedly used its defense treaty with the Philippines “to threaten China, support the Philippines’ blatant violation of Chinese sovereignty, and promote security concerns.”
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2023-12-25 05:36:46
