The United States and the Philippines jointly patrol… China’s intention to keep in check
China patrols seas and air over South China for 3-4 days… “Attempt to control local conflict”
Tensions are rising as the United States, the Philippines, and China each begin patrolling the disputed waters of the South China Sea starting at the start of the new year.
According to AFP on the 4th (local time), the United States and the Philippines began joint patrols in the South China Sea for two days the previous day.
The Philippine military said, “Four Philippine Navy ships, one aircraft carrier, one cruiser, and two destroyers from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are participating in this patrol.”
He also explained, “This operation will involve communications, joint patrols, and fixed-wing aircraft flights.”
“This patrol represents a ‘significant leap forward’ in the alliance between our two countries and in the interoperability between the Philippine and U.S. forces,” said Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Broner Jr. “Our alliance is stronger than ever and sends a message to the world. “We are sending it,” he emphasized.
Previously, the two countries’ militaries conducted a three-day patrol in the Philippine side’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea near Taiwan in November last year.
During the same period, the Chinese military also conducted joint patrols in the South China Sea, so the possibility of conflict between the two sides cannot be ruled out.
On the 3rd, the Chinese military’s Southern Theater (Command) announced through its official WeChat account, “We will organize navy and air force forces and conduct a regular cruise (patrol) in the South China Sea on the 3rd to 4th.”
The Southern Theater also said, “The theater units maintain a high level of preparedness and resolutely protect national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests,” and “all military activities that disrupt the South China Sea (situation) and attempt to ‘turn it into a conflict zone’ are controlled.” “There is,” he emphasized.
The South China Sea, which covers 3.5 million ㎢, is rich in minerals and fish stocks and is a transit route for resources such as oil, so it is famous as a ‘sea of conflict’ as interests between related countries have been sharply intertwined since ancient times.
China claims sovereignty over about 90% of the South China Sea, causing friction not only with neighboring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, but also with the international community, including the United States. There was a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling that China’s position violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but China does not accept this.
Regional tensions are rising as China and the Philippines have recently engaged in a series of physical conflicts in the South China Sea.
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.