‘US driving wedge between China, PH’

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

THE Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Sunday, March 12 said it sees “no problem” with the Philippines over freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, but accused the United States of using the issue to drive a wedge between Manila and Beijing. The embassy issued the statement in reaction to the remarks of U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson in a television interview on the South China Sea dispute and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the U.S. Carlson had said U.S.Philippine joint patrols in the waterways are important to ensure that it remains free and open to international navigation.

“On the South China Sea issue, there is ‘no problem’ of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” the embassy said.

“When talking about free and open waterways, what the U.S. has in its mind is actually the ‘freedom of rampage’ of its warships in the South China Sea,” it said.

The U.S. has been sending its warships on “freedom of navigation” sorties in the South China Sea, which China claims is part of its territory.

The embassy pointed out that the U.S. military “has been coming all the way from the other side of the Pacific to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and ganging up with its allies from other parts of the world to flex muscle in the South China Sea.” “By doing these, the U.S. has not only heightened tension, driven a wedge between China and the Philippines, but also has disturbed and upset the joint effort of countries in this region to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the embassy said.

Now that China and the Philippines are at a critical juncture of post-COVID-19 recovery, “we should keep to the right track of maintaining good-neighborliness and attaining mutual benefit rather than getting distracted by forces who are fanning the flame and driving a wedge between us, even less inviting a bully into our community,” it added.

“We need to focus on cooperation and development, and truly safeguard, promote and build peace, stability, prosperity of our region and bring more tangible benefits to people of our two countries,” the embassy said.

Carlson said the EDCA sites, where the U.S. can store arms and equipment, would not only help the provincial and local authorities to enhance their ability to defend themselves, but to grow their economy.

The governors from Cagayan and Isabela expressed apprehension about having their provinces used as EDCA sites, fearing that the sites could become military targets if the conflict between China and Taiwan escalates further.

The Chinese embassy noted that “intense debates” have been going on recently in the Philippines about the four additional EDCA sites.

“The governors of Cagayan and Isabela are not the only ones who publicly expressed reservation to having their provinces used as EDCA sites,” it said.

Peace and development, the embassy said, remain