PH unfazed by Chinese military warning vs. foreign enemies

Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippine government is not worried about a warning from a Chinese military official as tensions rise in the South China Sea.

In an interview with state broadcaster CGTN, Lt. Gen. He Lei of the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences said Beijing is making sure that Chinese territory will be protected from interference.

“The Philippines has quickly turned to the United States and strengthened their military alliance especially in [Scarborough Shoal, Ayungin Shoal and now Escoda Shoa],” the military official said.

He said the Philippines is “unwilling to listen to dissuasion.”

“The Chinese people and the People’s Liberation Army will never allow any external forces to interfere in China’s internal affairs and invade China’s territory. The People’s Liberation Army has made all the preparations. It is ready to resolutely crush any interference and aggression by any foreign enemy,” said He.

On the other hand, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the Philippines is not alluded to in the Chinese general’s statement.

“The Philippines is not and will never be a pawn of the United States,” said Malaya.

The NSC official added that Manila and Beijing are committed to peacefully resolving disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

“We also agree with the Chinese army general in his aspirations for peace in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. Our position in the South China Sea is consistent with our national interest, with international law particularly UNCLOS and it has been affirmed by the binding 2016 arbitral ruling,” Malaya added.

The Philippines and China held bilateral talks on Wednesday (Sept. 11) with high-level diplomats convening through a bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea in Beijing, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.

The talks, which focused on maritime issues, particularly those surrounding Escoda Shoal (also known as Sabina Shoal), were attended by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro for the Philippines and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong for China.

The Philippine government told China that Escoda Shoal is within the country’s exclusive economic zone. During talks with her Chinese counterparts, Lazaro reiterated the Philippines’ consistent position and explored ways to lower tensions in the area.

“Both sides agreed to continue discussions on areas of cooperation, especially on hotline mechanisms, coast guard cooperation, and marine scientific and technological cooperation,” the DFA said in a statement.