Beijing: Amid escalating tensions, China issued a stern warning to the United States, urging it to refrain from taking sides in the South China Sea dispute. This comes in response to recent remarks made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding a security agreement with the Philippines.
Blinken emphasized the “ironclad” nature of the U.S. security commitment to the Philippines, citing concerns over China’s actions in the South China Sea, which have elicited international scrutiny.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Chinese embassy in the Philippines defended China’s activities in the region as “legitimate and lawful,” rebuking Blinken’s assertions as unfounded accusations that ignore factual realities. Furthermore, the embassy condemned Blinken’s references to the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty obligations as a direct threat that China vehemently opposes.
Read More: Putin Considers China for First Post-Election International Visit
The Mutual Defense Treaty, dating back to 1951, binds the Philippines and the United States to mutual support in the event of an attack. Last year, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr urged clarification from Washington regarding the extent of this security commitment.
During recent discussions, Blinken clarified that the security pact extends to armed attacks on the Philippine armed forces, public vessels, aircraft, and its coast guard.
Read More: Indian Navy’s Bold Operation Demonstrates World-Class Defence Capabilities, Say Experts
China’s stance maintains that the United States, as a non-party to the issues in the South China Sea, poses a threat to peace and stability by intervening in maritime disputes between China and the Philippines. The Chinese embassy criticized the U.S.’s purported commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation in the region, accusing it of promoting the interests of its warships while engaging in provocative activities near China’s borders.
“The U.S. keeps saying that it wants to safeguard freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, but in fact, it wants to guarantee the freedom of navigation of U.S. warships. The fact that U.S. warships and planes traveled thousands of miles to China’s doorstep to flaunt their might and provoke trouble is an out-and-out hegemonic activity,” the Chinese embassy asserted.
