As China issued an order to “leave immediately” after a passenger plane carrying a Filipino journalist flew over the Spratly (Chinese name Nansha/Filipino name Kalayan) archipelago in the South China Sea, attention is being paid to the future response of the two countries. .
According to an AFP report on the 9th (local time), the Chinese coast guard issued the order to a Philippine airliner flying over the Spratly Islands.
At a time when China is strongly claiming territorial sovereignty over the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, attention is being paid to the future response of the Philippines by issuing such an order.
Currently, China is still claiming ownership of the area, ignoring international rulings that it has no legal basis.
It is known that China is managing the area by deploying hundreds of Chinese Coast Guard ships to strengthen its influence in the area.
On this day, the Chinese side urged the Philippine airliner to leave the area in Chinese and English, and said, “Leave this place to avoid misunderstandings,” the media reported.
In response, the pilot of the Philippine airliner refuted that he was flying within the scope of his country’s territory.
In the South China Sea region, including Titu Island, the Philippines and China have been in conflict with each other. Neighboring countries, including China and the Philippines, including Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, claim sovereignty over the South China Sea.
◇ Pro-US actions such as strengthening military cooperation with the Philippines and the US despite China’s opposition
Currently occupied by the Philippines, Titu Island is adjacent to the Spratly Islands, where China claims sovereignty and has built a military base, and is considered a military hub in the South China Sea.
Earlier on the 5th, the Philippine government claimed that about 40 Chinese vessels, including Chinese vessels, had invaded its waters in the South China Sea, criticizing China for continuing and blatantly invading its territorial waters regardless of the right of innocent passage.
The right of innocent passage means the right to pass through the territorial waters of another country without harming the order and safety of that country.
In addition, on the 6th of last month, a Chinese ship fired a laser at a Philippine ship in the Second Thomas Reef area of the South China Sea, and conflicts over this area continue.
President Ferdinand Marcos summoned the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines and strongly protested.
In response, the Philippines is implementing the strongest foreign policy in nearly 10 years, showing an outspoken pro-US move despite China’s recent warnings.
In January, the defense ministers of the US and the Philippines met and agreed to additionally secure access and use rights for the US military to four major military bases in the Philippines, taking a tough line.
In addition, the two countries agreed to resume joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea after six years to respond to China’s security threats.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.