Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The South China Sea (LCS) is heating up again. China and the Philippines, again arguing over the disputed sea.
Most recently, Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin Jr. threw an “F-bomb” at China. Not in the true sense, the bomb in question is criticism and insults with non -diplomatic language on Twitter social media.
In English, he kicked China out of the LCS with the words “Get The Fuck Out”. He also called China a “fool.”
In his critique, Locsin also said that “cordial diplomatic talks were fruitless”. Locsin is known to be very outspoken in criticizing Beijing under President Rodrigo Duterte.
Locsin’s remarks are the latest escalation in relations between the two countries after deteriorating after the entry of hundreds of Chinese fishing boats on the Whitsun Reef. This region is about 175 nautical miles west of Palawan Island, Philippines and 638 miles of Hainan China.
According to the International Arbitration Court, Whitsun Reef is part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Manila. However, it was rejected by China by calling it Niu’e Jiao.
Locsin’s insult became even more pronounced after China reportedly committed “aggressive actions” against Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal. This area is one of the richest fishing grounds in the region.
Scarborough Shoal is to the west of the main island of Luzon in the Philippines and the nearest 470 nautical miles off China’s coast. China has occupied the area since 2012, although a 2016 international court won the Philippines as owner.
China calls it Huangyan Island. Last week the Bamboo Curtain affirmed that it had sovereignty in the area also known as “Bajo de Masinloc” and urged the Philippines not to escalate the conflict.
Meanwhile in a statement the Philippine Foreign Ministry also said China had violated the Philippines’ sovereignty. “China has no law enforcement rights in this region,” the ministry wrote.
Duterte’s spokesman said he would not interfere with Locsin’s tweet. “We will not interfere with Locsin’s right to free speech,” said Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
Launch South China Morning Post, no comment from China yet. One observer said China would probably put Locsin’s remarks aside unless they left Duterte’s mouth.
Duterte himself is known to be friendlier to China than to the European Union and the United States (US). This is because of the promise of Chinese investment in the country and the corona (Covid-19) vaccine.
But in his April 29 statement, he stressed that the Philippines would not withdraw troops from the SCS, which had previously been deployed to respond to China. He said the question of non-negotiable sovereignty.
“I will tell China, we don’t want problems. We don’t want war. But if you tell us to leave, no,” Duterte was quoted as saying. AFP.
“There are things that really cannot be compromised. I hope they understand, but I have the interests of my country to protect as well.”
(boss / boss)
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