BEIJING: China will not allow the Philippines to act willfully on the South China Sea issue and rejects meddling of the issue by the United States, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.
There is “no bigger factor than the U.S. interference” in causing turbulence in the South China Sea, and the Philippines’ harassment and provocations are the immediate cause of the recent escalation of the South China Sea issue, Wu Qian told a regular press conference in Beijing.
On the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines, China opposes foreign interference, infringement and provocation, and advocates proper management of differences, Wu said.
China is also fully prepared for any emergency, and will resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, he said.
The spokesperson made the remarks in response to questions about Manila’s so-called “Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept” and its accusations that China obstructed its resupply missions to Ren’ai Jiao multiple times.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently accused China of its operations in the South China Sea, and reiterated U.S. defense commitment to the Philippines, and the U.S. side also criticized actions taken by the Chinese side against the Philippine side in the South China Sea on March 23, according to reports.
Commenting on the reports, Wu said on Thursday that for some time, in disregard of the facts, the U.S. provoked confrontation, backed up the Philippines, threatened and exerted pressure on China citing the so-called bilateral treaty, and sent military vessels to the South China Sea to stir up troubles.
These actions seriously undermine regional peace and stability, he said. “China’s attitude towards this is clear: the U.S. is in no position to interfere and the military cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines must not harm China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
Counting on the support of external forces, the Philippines violated international law and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), frequently infringed upon China’s sovereignty, made provocations and created troubles, and spread misinformation to mislead the international community, said Wu.
“It is straying further down a dangerous path,” he said referring to the Philippines.
Stressing that the Chinese side will not allow the Philippines to act willfully, the spokesperson said China has responded with legitimate, resolute and restrained actions.
The Philippine side should realize that provocations will only do themselves more harm than good, and soliciting foreign support will lead nowhere, he said.
The Chinese side has sufficient strategic resolve in addressing the South China Sea issue, Wu said.
China stays committed to properly managing maritime differences with relevant parties through dialogue and consultation, while firmly safeguarding China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, he said.
“We have every reason to believe that with concerted efforts of regional countries, the South China Sea issue will surely be settled,” he added. “This is the inevitable trend of our times.”
