PH: Decision to strengthen ties with Japan, US a 'sovereign choice'

The Philippines' decision to ramp up ties with Japan and the United States is a "sovereign choice," its foreign ministry said on Thursday, urging China to "reflect upon its own actions" in the South China Sea.

"The source of tension in our region is well known to all," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

"It is China's excessive maritime claims and aggressive behavior, including its militarization of reclaimed features, that are undermining regional peace and stability and raising tensions," it added.

The statement was in response to China's criticism over the recent trilateral summit between US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

The three leaders have jointly expressed serious concerns about China's "dangerous and aggressive behavior in the South China Sea".

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last week it opposes "forming exclusive circles in the region" and any "acts that stoke and drive up tensions."

Mao also accused the US of clinging to the "Cold War mentality" of threatening rivals by coalescing with regional allies.

"Unwarranted references to the Cold War sensationalize the situation and misrepresent the peaceful purpose of the trilateral cooperation," the DFA said in response.

The DFA said China's actions are undermining regional peace and stability and raising tensions in the disputed waterway.

It said that it is also reasonable for participants to discuss regional security issues of mutual concern, challenges to the rule of law, and the peaceful resolution of outstanding disputes.

“In the case of the South China Sea, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and legally-binding 2016 Arbitral Award provide definitive lawful basis for the determination of the sovereign rights and jurisdiction within the Philippines' maritime entitlements,” the DFA said.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected. 

Balikatan

Meanwhile, the Philippine military on Thursday reiterated that its upcoming Balikatan joint exercises with the US are "not directed towards any specific country."

"This longstanding initiative, spanning several years, is aimed at enhancing cooperation, fostering training opportunities, and strengthening regional stability," said Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The 2024 Balikatan, which will run from April 22 to May 10, will be the biggest iteration of the annual joint military exercise with the participation of various government agencies and the armed forces of more nations. 

The drills are set to take place at the northern tip of the Philippines near Taiwan and will be observed by several countries including Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

China 

China reiterated its sovereignty over the disputed waters as it rejected the SCS arbitration ruling as “nothing more than a piece of waste paper”.

“The arbitral tribunal violated the principle of state consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires, and rendered an award in disregard of the law. The arbitration violates UN
CLOS and general international law,” said Beijing’s Ministry of National Defense in a statement.

“The rendered award is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize the award,” it said.

China added: “The US itself has a terrible record of delivering on international arbitration. It rejects to accept legitimate arbitrations multiple times, let alone illegal ones like this. We ask the US side to reflect on itself thoroughly before pointing its fingers at others”.

Further, Beijing asked the Philippines, the US, and Japan to honor its commitments  related to Taiwan.

“We urge the above-mentioned countries to honor their words, immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining regional peace and stability,” the Defense Ministry said.

“The People's Liberation Army will as always resolutely safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold regional peace and stability,” it added. — Reuters with Joahna Lei Casilao and Sundy Locus/KBK/RSJ/RF, GMA Integrated News