Following Beijing’s accusation that the Philippines is trying to “rope in” other non-claimant countries in the dispute over parts of the disputed South China Sea, Malacañang has hit back to China on Friday.
The Philippines has recently earned the favor of big countries like United States and Japan, among others.
“We cannot be faulted if other countries have lauded the approach that we have decided to take in resolving this dispute that we have with our neighbor,” Usec. Abigail Valte said at a press briefing.
Valte cited global trade reminding China that its territorial dispute with the Philippines has international implications.
“While they may say that this is a regional matter, it cannot be denied that significant number of global trade p(–foul word(s) removed–) through that region, and again, it cannot be denied that it has an impact on those outside the region,” she said.
Chinese Defense official has blasted the Philippines for “roping in countries from the outside the region to get involved in the South China Sea issue.”
The Chinese official also criticized the joint drills of Japan and Philippines particular when military planes flew near Recto Bank off the coast of Palawan.
Recto Bank is being claimed by both Manila and Beijing.
The official said Manila putt on a “big show of force, deliberately exaggerating the tense atmosphere in the region.”
H/T: GMA News