Beijing [China], June 17: The situation in the East Sea has become more complicated, especially as tensions between China and the Philippines continue to increase.
On June 15, the Philippines announced that it had just sent a document to the UN on registering to expand its continental shelf (ECS) in the East Sea, according to Reuters. Explaining this move, Mr. Marshall Louis Alferez, Philippine Assistant Secretary of State for Maritime and Ocean Affairs, said that it was "securing the future by expressing the exclusive right to explore and exploit natural resources". natural resources within the country's ECS interests.
China and the Philippines criticize each other
The above move comes in the context of tensions between the Philippines and China constantly increasing in the East Sea.
On June 14, CGTN quoted Mr. Truong Hieu Cuong, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, declaring that the country would take all necessary measures to deal with "the Philippines' dangerous and escalating actions in the Philippines." East Sea". Spokesman Truong also accused "the Philippines of being a destroyer of peace and causing instability in the region".
Mr. Truong's statement was in response to Manila's denial that Philippine soldiers pointed guns at the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship as accused by Beijing. Recently, China Central Television (CCTV) reported that during the process of supplying Philippine soldiers stationed on a warship stranded in the East Sea on May 19, at least two Filipino soldiers on the ship died. pointed his gun at the CCG ships monitoring nearby.
In recent times, the Philippines has repeatedly tried to carry out the above supply work despite obstruction from CCG ships and Chinese militia ships. The two sides have had many collisions. Although the consequences were not major, they have led to many diplomatic tensions that neither Beijing nor Manila showed any signs of de-escalating.
In addition, in the face of increasing military pressure from China, the Philippines has also taken many response moves, including strengthening its defense capacity as well as strengthening cooperation with allies and partners such as America, Japan, Australia. Recently, Naval News on June 11 reported that the Philippines is looking to build a new base on the site of the former US naval air base in Subic Bay. It is expected that the new base will be used to enhance aerial surveillance and power projection capabilities in the East Sea.
China strengthens control over the East Sea
On the same day June 14, The Guardian reported that the Philippines began increasing patrols in the East Sea.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper