The White House said Wednesday that U.S. National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan spoke by phone the same day with Philippine National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon to discuss their mutual concerns about the recent build-up of Chinese maritime militia (People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia) vessels near Whitsun Reef. The Philippine government says more than 250 Chinese vessels have gathered near Whitsun Reef. The Philippine government says more than 250 Chinese vessels are massing at six islands disputed by China and the Philippines, despite opposition from the Philippines.
Sullivan emphasized that the United States stands with its Philippine allies in upholding a rules-based international maritime order and reaffirmed the applicability of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty in the South China Sea.
Sullivan and Esperon agreed that the United States and the Philippines will continue to coordinate closely to address challenges in the South China Sea.
The Philippine government said Wednesday that it has observed a build-up of more than 250 Chinese vessels near six South China Sea islands over which the country claims sovereignty. The Philippine government believes the vessels are operated by Chinese militias and has asked China to remove them immediately.
A Philippine government agency monitoring the maritime situation said the build-up of Chinese flagged ships and four Chinese naval vessels at a Chinese-occupied artificial island base was “harmful to navigation and safety of Life at sea” and could damage coral reefs and threaten Philippine sovereignty.
More than a week ago, China ignored protests by the Philippine government and a request by Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to withdraw more than 200 Chinese vessels from near Ngau Yoke Reef, saying the waters belonged to China and that the Chinese ships were escaping bad weather at sea.
Philippine officials said 44 Chinese “maritime militia” vessels remained moored at Bull Yoke Reef (known as Julian Felipe Reef in Manila) Monday after the Philippines conducted air and sea patrols. Philippine officials said more than 210 other Chinese vessels had dispersed to five other areas in the Spratly Islands, known in China as the Spratlys, including three Chinese-occupied artificial islands.
Philippine officials said at least four Chinese naval vessels were near the Chinese-occupied Mischief Reef and about 45 Chinese ships were near the Philippine-controlled Pagasa Island (Thitu, known in China as Zhongye Island).
The Philippine military said it could not confirm whether the 92 vessels found off Chigua Reef and 84 vessels on Gaven Reefs were part of the previous Chinese flotilla.
“The Philippines called on China to immediately remove the Chinese-flagged vessels, and “neither the Philippines nor the international community will accept China’s claim of so-called ‘undisputed sovereignty’ over almost the entire South China Sea,” the West Philippine Sea Country Working Group said in a statement. of sovereignty’ over almost the entire South China Sea.”
Philippine military officials said a patrol plane dispatched by the Philippine military received a radio warning to stay away from one of the Chinese-occupied islands, but the pilot radioed back to say the patrol would continue as planned.
An interdepartmental agency led by the Philippine national security adviser released surveillance photos of the Chinese flotilla in the disputed areas, which the Philippine government says are within its exclusive economic zone.
The Philippines considers the nine islands under its control in the Spratly Islands region to be part of its western province of Palawan. But China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also claim sovereignty over some features in the waters. China has turned seven of the disputed islands into missile-protected island bases, fueling regional tensions in recent years.
The U.S. accuses China of using “maritime militias to intimidate, provoke and threaten other countries, undermining peace and security in the region. Beijing denies that the ships are part of the maritime militia.
Canada, Australia, Japan and other countries have also expressed concern about China’s intentions in the region.
The maritime tensions between China and the Philippines come at a Time when China is launching a diplomatic offensive against Southeast Asian countries. The foreign ministers of four Southeast Asian countries, including Philippine Foreign Minister Steven Lochin, are visiting China.
Recent Comments