US urged not to take sides in maritime row

MANILA, Philippines - The alliance between the US and the Philippines should not harm the interests of a third party after a senior US Navy official said that Washington would come to the aid of Manila in the event of conflict with China over disputed waters in the South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying urged on Friday the US should not take sides in territorial disputes in the East China Sea and South China Sea.

Hua said China always maintains that the dispute in the South China Sea should be solved through bilateral negotiations and consultation between countries directly concerned, based on respect for historical facts and international law.

“The US-Philippine alliance, which is a bilateral arrangement, should not harm the interests of a third party,” Hua said.

“The US, who is not a party concerned in the South China Sea dispute, should honor its commitment of not taking sides on territorial sovereignty issue, be discreet in word and deed and do more for peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific, rather than the opposite,” she added.

Admiral Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations of the US Navy, on Thursday assured the Philippines of US help in the disputed maritime region.

Greenert said the US supported the Philippines’ case and opposed China’s aggressive behavior and would work with allies to maintain freedom of navigation. – Jaime Laude