China tells US: Don’t take sides on South China Sea row

MANILA, Philippines — The United States should not instigate trouble in the South China Sea or take sides on the issue, the Chinese embassy said yesterday.

The embassy issued the statement as it opposed the “thinly veiled threat” of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines and defend its ally in the face of any aggression in the South China Sea.

“We firmly oppose the groundless accusations made by Secretary Blinken about China’s legitimate and lawful actions in the South China Sea and his thinly veiled threat to invoke the so-called MDT obligations,” the embassy said, referring to the US treaty with the Philippines as a “vestige of the Cold War.”

“The military cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not undermine China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea,” it added.

The embassy again denied that China provoked the recent tense situation in the South China Sea.

Turning to the US, it accused Washington of “going out of their way and far to the doorsteps of China to bluff and stir up the situation.”

“The recent tension in the South China Sea would not have occurred without the US egging on the Philippines. Indeed, the US admits to banding together a small number of countries to offer verbal support to the Philippines,” the Chinese embassy said.

On Tuesday, Blinken underscored the US stand against “provocative” actions in the South China Sea as he reaffirmed his country’s “ironclad” commitment to defend the Philippines.

Article IV of the treaty, he said, extends to any armed attacks on Filipino armed forces, on public vessels, on aircraft, including its coast guard and “and that would also be anywhere in the South China Sea.”

He emphasized the waterways are critical to the Philippines, its security and economy and also to the interests of the region, the US and the world.

The US, according to Blinken, has been “very clear and very consistent” about its defense commitments to the Philippines.

Blinken and President Marcos emphasized the importance of the US-Philippine alliance to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and underscored their shared commitment to upholding international law in the South China Sea.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo thanked his counterpart for the US government’s consistent support, especially with regard to recent incidents in the South China Sea.

Blinken’s visit took place ahead of the first trilateral leaders’ summit between the US, the Philippines and Japan, to be held on April 11 at the White House.

US President Joe Biden will host Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the first trilateral summit.