Marcos voices concern over China’s actions in South China Sea

WASHINGTON – Describing his sentiments over China’s provocative actions in the disputed area of the South China Sea closest to the Philippines, President Marcos said he was “as concerned as you could possibly be.”

“It is one of the major issues that we have to face back home,” the President said here last Tuesday when asked about China’s provocative actions, which have been criticized by neighboring nations and their allies.

In separate statements yesterday, France and Germany are the latest to express the same concern and opposed actions that would escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos’ remarks came a day after he and US President Joe Biden affirmed their “unwavering commitment” to freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

Asked if he believes talks on cooperation with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris would bring him closer to protecting the region, Marcos replied: “Well, cooperation with the United States certainly is just something that we are building upon that has been going on for many decades. And we just keep going.”

His comments were made prior to his meeting with Harris at her residence at the United States Naval Observatory.

Also present during the meeting were First Lady Liza Marcos and US Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff.

It was the second meeting between Marcos and Harris since November when she visited the Philippines.

“I want to thank you because the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Philippines is probably stronger now. And through your leadership we have been able to continue to do the work that we have that is a priority around our mutual prosperity and security,” Harris told Marcos before they met behind closed doors.

In a statement, the White House said Harris had reaffirmed the strength of the alliance between the two countries and emphasized the importance of further expanding their security, economic and people-to-people ties.

”The Vice President also reiterated the United States’ commitment to upholding international rules and norms, including in the South China Sea, and reiterated the United States commitment to the defense of the Philippines under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” the White House said.

Building on the American vice president’s visit to Palawan late last year, where she launched new initiatives to support Philippine maritime law enforcement agencies, Marcos and Harris discussed the strengthening of the partnership of their countries’ coast guards and maritime cooperation, the White House added.

Int’l concern

A statement released by the French embassy in Manila said that France opposes any action that increases tensions in the South China Sea.

“France is following the recent events in the South China Sea with utmost attention. It recalls its commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the embassy said in reference to the near-collision in the West Philippine Sea when a Chinese Coast Guard ship cut off a smaller Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol vessel on April 23.

It noted that “respect for international law, in particular, freedom of navigation, is one of France’s priorities for action.”

“We are opposed to any action that increases tensions and jeopardizes regional stability and the international order based on the rule of law,” the embassy said.

Germany said it shares the Philippines’ concerns about China’s escalating actions.

“Sharing the Philippines’ concerns about China’s recent escalating actions in the West Philippine Sea,” German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel tweeted.

Germany’s partnership with the PCG on the joint efforts to safeguarding the international maritime rules-based order continues, Reiffenstuel said.

For its part, Canada said it is troubled by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct in the South China Sea as it expressed support to the Philippines in enforcing sovereign rights within the country’s territory.

Canada reiterated its call for upholding the rules-based international order in the South China Sea.

“We are troubled by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct in this region & unreservedly support the Government of the Philippines in enforcing its sovereign rights within its EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” Canadian Ambassador Davit Hartman said in a Twitter post.

“Peace & stability in the South China Sea are essential to the interests of the international community,” he said.

Earlier, the United Kingdom expressed concern over the supposed “dangerous conduct” against Filipino vessels in the South China Sea.

“The UK is concerned by continued reports of dangerous conduct towards Filipino vessels in the South China Sea,” British Ambassador Laure Beaufils said in a Twitter post. – Pia Lee-Brago