The Chinese embassy in Manila has accused the United States of driving a wedge between China and the Philippines after the US State Department raised the difficulty of swarms of Chinese vessels within the Spratlys interfering with the livelihoods of Filipino fishers within the space.
In a press release, the Chinese embassy mentioned the US saved meddling within the South China Sea disputes and “trying to drive wedges between countries in the region, creating tensions and harming regional peace and stability.”
“The statement on the South China Sea by the spokesperson of the US Department of State on December 19th contains unfounded accusations against China that attempt to stir up troubles and drive a wedge between China and the Philippines,” the Chinese embassy mentioned.
“We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this,” it added.
US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price has mentioned the US supported the Philippines’ calls on China to respect the worldwide of the ocean within the South China Sea.
The US additionally talked about the 2016 arbitral ruling which upheld the Philippines unique financial zone underneath the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over China’s historic claims.
“The reported escalating swarms of PRC (People’s Republic of China) vessels within the neighborhood of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal within the Spratly Islands intrude with the livelihoods of Philippine fishing communities, and in addition replicate persevering with disregard for different South China Sea claimants and states lawfully working within the area,” Price mentioned.
“The United States supports the Philippines’ continued calls upon the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to respect the international law of the sea in the South China Sea, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and its legal obligations pursuant to the 2016 arbitral ruling,” he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News
