Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) — The Asia Pacific, which the Philippines is part of, should “not be turned into a boxing ring,” China said as it slammed the recent security commitment of the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday criticized the tripartite ties’ joint statement that “smeared and attacked China on Taiwan and maritime issues,” seeing this as an attempt that could trigger discord and division among its neighboring nations.On Monday, the three powerhouse countries condemned China’s aggressive tactics in contested waterways.Wenbin said that if the agreement was not designed to target anyone, the US must “match its words with actions and act on its statement that the revitalization of its alliances is not targeted at China.”A cold war mentality, which may include tension covering economic and political actions, could also be revived following this recent development in the region, the Chinese executive warned.“The Asia-Pacific region is a promising land for peace and development. It should not be turned into a boxing ring for major power rivalry, still less a battlefield of cold war or hot war,” he said.“Attempts to stoke a new cold war in the region will be met by firm rejection of regional countries and peoples,” he added.The Chinese official likewise stressed China’s determination to fight for its claims—be it in Taiwan or in the South China Sea.He defended China’s maritime actions, saying these were “legitimate, lawful, and beyond reproach.”China has rejected the arbitral tribunal’s ruling in 2016 that invalidated Beijing’s claims in the West Philippine Sea.
But Wenbin said China “always abides by international law, including UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). He also reiterated China’s stance against the “illegal” tribunal award.
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China has conducted dangerous maneuvers against the Philippines, including swarming in the West Philippine Sea, bullying Filipino fishermen, and firing water cannons at Philippine vessels. The Philippine government has filed a number of diplomatic protests because of these.
Beijing’s actions also caught the attention of many countries and were greatly lambasted, especially by the US.
China blamed the US government for going “to great lengths to interfere in the South China Sea issue,” branding the latter as a “disrupter and saboteur of the regional order.”“The US has become the biggest threat and challenge to regional peace and stability,” Wenbin claimed.
