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Current skirmishes between the Philippines and China within the South China Sea have raised considerations of escalating maritime tensions.
The Philippines has stated two Chinese language coast guard ships “harassed” Filipino fishing vessels inside its unique financial zone (EEZ) within the disputed South China Sea, forward of joint navy workout routines with its allies.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriella stated on Saturday that coast guard ships had been “pretending to fireplace water cannon and threatening Filipino fishermen” at Iroquois Reef on April 4.
“This aggressive motion stems from China's greed and baseless declare that these waters belong to them primarily based on their imaginary dashed line,” Tariela wrote in an announcement.
There was no instant remark from China, which claims sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea.
“It is very important word that Rosul Reef falls throughout the EEZ of the Philippines as it’s positioned roughly 128 nautical miles off Palawan,” Tariela stated, referring to the reef by its Filipino identify. The Philippines additionally refers back to the space of the South China Sea inside its EEZ because the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines and China have reported a number of maritime skirmishes in current months, together with using water cannon. The 2 international locations have lengthy been at loggerheads over disputed reefs within the huge and resource-rich sea route.
Since taking energy in 2022, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warmed relations with the USA and different Western international locations and brought a tricky stance towards what he sees as Chinese language hostility.
He stated final month that the Philippines would retaliate towards China after Filipino troopers had been injured and ships had been broken within the newest confrontation.
On Sunday, the Philippines will host joint naval and air workout routines with the US, Japan and Australia within the disputed area, because it seeks to deepen ties with its allies to counter China's rising aggression within the area.
In a joint assertion on Saturday, the protection chiefs of the 4 collaborating international locations stated the train would reveal “a collective dedication to strengthening regional and worldwide cooperation in assist of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Subsequent week, US President Joe Biden is scheduled to carry the primary trilateral summit with Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, DC.
The assertion stated the workout routines would contain naval and air power items from all 4 international locations, however didn’t present additional particulars.
Japan's Embassy in Manila stated the workout routines would come with “anti-submarine warfare coaching.”
China has blamed the Philippines for escalating tensions within the disputed waterway.
Prime American officers have repeatedly declared the USA' “agency” dedication to defend the Philippines towards armed assault within the South China Sea.
U.S. Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin stated, “These actions with our allies Australia, Japan, and the Philippines underscore our shared dedication to making sure that every one international locations proceed to fly, sail, and function wherever worldwide legislation permits.” Are free to do.”