U.S. EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR ALLIES PHILIPPINES AND TAIWAN VS. CHINA
Written by Mart Shalom E. Bernales
The Philippines has found a renewed support from their long-time ally, the United States of America as U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price openly expressed on Wednesday, April 7, that the increasing aggressive actions of the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) concern the U.S. about the welfare of its partners.
Price rebuked the unlawful actions of China in the troubled waters, reminding Beijing that the United States of America has an obligation to protect its allies under multiple treaties signed by involved countries.
“An armed attack against the Philippines’ armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in Pacific, including in the South China Sea, will trigger our obligations under the U.S. – Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” Price told reporters in a press conference.
“We share concerns of our Philippine allies regarding the continued massing of PRC maritime militia bear the Whitsun (Julian Felipe) Reef,” Price added regarding the swarming of ships from the People’s Republic of China.
Numerous Chinese boats were first spotted in the disputed Spratly Islands. Around 200 Chinese vessels were found in the Julian Felipe Reef alone which was lawfully inside the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (200 miles West of Palawan) and was recently favored by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China, however, has ignored the diplomatic protests filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs on March and April, even insisting that their vessels were only stranded in the challenged, resource-rich territory due to bad weather conditions when in reality, the weather is perfectly calm.
Malacanang acknowledged the support by the U.S. while claiming that the rift could be resolved in a more peaceful manner, relying on the close ties between China and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Spokesperson Price also showed concern as 15 Chinese aircrafts unlawfully crossed Taiwan’s air defense zone on Wednesday.
“The U.S. maintains the capacity to resist any resort on force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security or economic system of the people on Taiwan.” Price said in an obvious showing of support for its ally, Taiwan.
Beijing claims that Taiwan is a part of Mainland China and is under their government system, which sparks the tension between the two nations.
China’s bold actions in the troubled West Philippine Sea and against Taiwan will define how the peace among nations will go in the following days, especially now that another superpower in the form of United States of America expressed its objections on the claims and actions of China.