Manila Philippines — Japan, the Philippines and the United States have once again expressed serious concern over the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese ships in the South China Sea.
The three countries are referring to China’s alleged militarization of what they claim to be part of their sovereignty and uncontested territory in the South China Sea.
“We steadfastly oppose the dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea, as well as efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation,” the three leaders said during the trilateral leaders’ summit held in Washington DC.
This is also caused by the alleged continuous blocking of Chinese ships in the resupply team of the Philippines as part of the so-called freedom of navigation.
The three countries consider this as a dangerous and inconstant practice.
“We reiterate serious concern over the PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation, and the disruption of supply lines to Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), which constitute dangerous and destabilizing conduct,” they added.
The three countries also called for respect for the order awarded to the Philippines by the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016 – the order stating that the Ayungin Shoal is part of the EEZ or exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
This statement is part of the ongoing Balikatan exercise 2024 in the South China Sea.
The Chinese Defense Ministry replied, this shows disregarding the facts and gives confusion about what is right and what is wrong.
China also strongly refuted the statements of the three countries and asserted their opposition to the joint patrol of Japan, the Philippines and the United States in the South China Sea.
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