Manila: The Philippines has asserted that its actions in the South China Sea are solely guided by national interest and are not influenced by external forces, the country’s foreign ministry stated on Monday. The remarks come in response to claims from China suggesting that Manila is acting under the direction of other nations.
According to the foreign ministry, “the real issue is China’s refusal to abide by international law,” emphasizing that Beijing’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive behaviour at sea” has adversely affected Filipino communities.
“We call on countries to be circumspect and to avoid actions and words that only contribute to tensions in the region,” the ministry said in a statement addressing China’s recent comments.
At a press conference on March 7, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi alleged that the Philippines’ actions in the South China Sea were not independent but were part of a “screenplay written by external forces” aimed at tarnishing China’s image.
The Chinese embassy in Manila has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding the Philippine foreign ministry’s statement.
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Manila has launched what it terms a “transparency initiative” to expose China’s activities in the disputed waters. This includes allowing journalists to accompany maritime patrols and resupply missions.
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The Philippines’ approach has gained support from key allies, including the United States, which upholds the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The ruling invalidated China’s sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea, a decision that Beijing continues to reject.
