US says Beijing’s moves ‘risky’ as Chinese ships ‘swarm’ seas
US says Beijing’s moves ‘risky’ as Chinese ships ‘swarm’ seasThe US has expressed concern over China’s recent behavior towards Philippine ships in the South China Sea, as the Southeast Asian nation reported Chinese ships “swarming” in disputed waters south of the oil and gas-rich region Is.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a readout released on Thursday after a call with Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, called Beijing’s conduct in the disputed sea “coercive and risky”. Austin also reiterated America’s “firm” commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and said the two countries’ mutual defense treaty covers Coast Guard ships in the South China Sea.
On Friday, the Western Command of the Philippine Army said 48 Chinese fishing boats had been spotted. A reef swarm south of Recto Bank in the South China Sea during an air patrol in late June. Two ships of the Chinese Navy and three ships of the China Coast Guard are regularly patrolling the nearby coast, the military said.
Recto Bank, an important facility for the Philippines, stands as a focal point with immense potential for the country’s energy security and economic development. Amid growing concern over China’s recent behaviour, the Army’s Western Command said on its Facebook page. Earlier this week, the Philippine Coast Guard said its ships were “constantly stalked, harassed and intercepted” by large Chinese vessels in the south late last month. China Sea.
China’s Foreign Ministry responded by saying that the maneuvers of its ships were “professional and restrained”. Chinese and Philippine ships nearly collided in the disputed sea in April, with both sides accusing each other of trespassing and provocation. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last month that he sees Beijing as a partner in promoting peace and trade in the South China Sea, after his government recently pushed to strengthen defense ties with the US. Have given.
The recent moves by the Chinese Coast Guard were “unprofessional”. And Beijing’s “irresponsible behavior” in the South China Sea threatens the security of the Philippines, Marieke Carlson, Washington’s envoy to Manila, said in a separate Twitter post on Friday. The Philippines has lodged 97 diplomatic protests against China since Marcos took office a year ago. According to The Philippine Star.
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