China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, issued a stern warning on maintaining military pressure on the Philippines during a recent phone conversation with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique A. Manalo.
The dispute revolves around sovereignty in the South China Sea and could potentially involve the intervention of US forces in defense of their treaty partner, as per The Independent.
China Warns Philippines Over South China Sea Tensions
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Chinese foreign affairs Minister Wang Yi speaks during the 2023 Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 18, 2023 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Security Conference brings together defence leaders and stakeholders from around the world and is taking place February 17-19. Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine is dominating the agenda.
Wang conveyed a clear message, cautioning the Philippines against misjudgments or collaboration with external forces that might escalate tensions. He emphasized China's commitment to defending its rights in accordance with the law and responding resolutely. The call highlighted the serious issues the two countries are currently facing, with Wang underscoring the need for caution on the Philippines' part.
In the South China Sea, tensions have escalated between China and the Philippines due to overlapping territorial claims. These tensions have resulted in recent confrontations involving various vessels, including fishing boats and military ships.
Amidst strained relations, Wang made a strong assertion that the countries find themselves at a critical juncture. He identified incidents of sea provocations by the Philippines, which China claims are undermining its legal rights.
The phone call, initiated by the Philippines, comes after months of rising tensions in the South China Sea, a crucial global conduit connecting Northeast and Southeast Asia. Accusations have been traded between the two nations over incidents such as the use of water cannons against Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.
Wang cautioned against the actions taken by the Philippines, hinting at potential alignment with external forces, without explicitly mentioning the United States.
In a recent call, it was revealed that the Philippines is showing a strong commitment to enhancing dialogue with China. The focus of the conversation was on the importance of effectively managing differences in order to alleviate tensions, according to Voice of America.
China, Philippines Plan South China Sea Meeting
Both nations have reached an agreement to convene a meeting in the near future. This decision comes as part of the bilateral consultation mechanism, which was established back in 2017. The primary objective of this meeting is to effectively address incidents occurring in the South China Sea and, more importantly, to prevent any further escalations.
The roots of the strained relationship, as stated by Wang, lie in a change of policy stance by Manila, alleging that the Philippines has reneged on commitments and engaged in provocative actions at sea. Despite the challenges, China expresses its commitment to resolving maritime differences through dialogue.
Efforts to de-escalate the situation, including a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jnr on the sidelines of the Apec summit, have not yielded significant improvements.
Marcos has indicated the need for a "paradigm shift" in handling the South China Sea issue, expressing dissatisfaction with the current diplomatic direction. China's discontent with Manila's strengthened ties with the US and other Asian allies adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute.
As tensions persist, the geopolitical landscape in the South China Sea remains volatile, with both China and the Philippines navigating a delicate balance in their diplomatic relations, South China Morning Post reported.
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