Military tensions between Philippines and China growing
2022.12.22 08:06
Military tensions between Philippines and China growing
Budrigannews.com – After observing “Chinese activities” in disputed waters close to a strategically important island held by the Philippines, the defense ministry of the Philippines issued a Thursday order to the military to increase its presence in the South China Sea.
The service didn’t determine what exercises those were and its assertion follows a report this seven day stretch of Chinese development on four uninhabited elements in the contested Spratly islands, news that Beijing has excused as “unwarranted”.
The Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which extends for 200 miles, “is a threat to the security of Pagasa island, which is part of Philippine sovereign territory,” the ministry stated in a statement. “Is a threat to the security of Pagasa island, which is part of Philippine sovereign territory,” is the Filipino name for Thitu island.
It went on to say, “We strongly urge China to uphold the existing rules-based international order and refrain from acts that will exacerbate tensions.”
China strictly adheres to a consensus reached among claimants, which includes not developing uninhabited reefs and islands, according to the Chinese embassy in Manila.
When asked to respond to the defense ministry’s statement, it said that “properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultations” would be the plan for both countries.
The majority of the South China Sea, through which goods worth billions of dollars pass annually, is China’s. Additionally, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan all have overlapping claims to a number of islands and features.
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Thitu is the most strategically significant of the nine features in the Spratlys that the Philippines owns. It is close to Subi Reef, one of seven artificial islands that China has built on submerged reefs, some of which have aircraft hangars, runways, and surface-to-air missiles.
According to a statement released by the Philippine military’s Western Command, regular navy and air patrols had revealed a “persistent presence” of Chinese militia near Thitu island, Lankiam Cay, Whitsun Reef, and Sandy Cay.
It did describe the activities of the Chinese boats.
