Philippines Rejects Chinese Criticism, Warns Against Aggression in South China Sea

Manila has forcefully responded to recent criticism from China following a trilateral summit with Japan and the United States. In a statement, the Philippines Foreign Ministry condemned China's "excessive maritime claims and aggressive behaviour" in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea, citing this as the primary source of regional instability.

The Philippines defended its participation in the summit, emphasizing its national interests and independent foreign policy. "It is the sovereign choice and decision of the Philippines to strengthen its alliance with the United States and strategic partnership with Japan, in accordance with our national interests and in line with our independent foreign policy. Our actions are in line with international law and complement our commitments in other regional and multilateral forums," the Philippines Foreign Ministry said in an official statement on Thursday.

The statement stressed the peaceful intentions of the trilateral cooperation: "Trilateral cooperation is a partnership and a cooperative framework for the promotion of peace, stability and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. It is an admirable aspiration that should not be considered a threat by any peace-loving country."

The Philippines also warned China to examine its own behavior in the disputed maritime regions. "The source of tension in our region is well known to all. China should reflect upon its own actions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. It is China's excessive maritime claims and aggressive behaviour, including its militarization of reclaimed features, that are undermining regional peace and stability and raising tensions," the statement declared.

The trilateral summit in April provided the Philippines, the US, and Japan an opportunity to bolster existing relationships and explore economic cooperation in support of the Philippines' development objectives.

This event follows President Biden's affirmation of "ironclad" US defense commitments to Japan and the Philippines. The summit also comes amidst broader strategic shifts in the Indo-Pacific, including the formation of groupings like the Quad and AUKUS, driven by shared concerns about China's growing military power.