China on Thursday talked about a priority “shared by many in the Philippines” as regards the nation getting drawn right into a “potential conflict” within the Taiwan Strait after the designation of latest EDCA websites in Luzon.
Mao Ning, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the comment when she was requested in a news convention to touch upon Defense division officer in cost Carlito Galvez who stated the brand new EDCA websites had been for the protection of the Philippines and the area.
“The comments on the locations of the new military bases also speak to the concern shared by many insightful people in the Philippines, who worry that this may draw their country into the whirlpool of a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait,” Mao stated.
Mao stated the problem of Taiwan query was inside to China and that it was not the Chinese aspect heightening cross-Strait tensions, “but the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces in the island and certain countries that support these forces.”
“We hope regional countries could see clearly who is fueling tensions across the Taiwan Strait for what purpose and will not pull someone else’s chestnuts out of fire at their own expense,” Mao stated.
US entry to PH army amenities
EDCA websites are Philippine army amenities to which US forces can have entry underneath the 2 nations’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which was signed in 2014.
The two sides have agreed to designate 4 new EDCA websites, three of that are within the northern portion of Luzon. These are the Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Isabela, the Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, and the Camilo Osias Naval Base additionally in Cagayan.
A fourth EDCA website has been designated on Balabac island in Palawan close to the South China Sea.
There are already 5 present EDCA places. These are the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.
‘National interest, collective defense’
In a press release on Wednesday, the DND and AFP stated the EDCA websites with the United States will additional enhance the Philippines’ capabilities to guard its nationwide pursuits and contribute to the collective protection within the area.
“Aside from enhancing our posturing of forces to address both external and internal security threats and challenges, we expect the construction of facilities and infrastructure upgrades to further help us ensure the welfare of our people,” Galvez stated. —NB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
