BEIJING – Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated as Chinese official media outlets have levied accusations against the Philippines for what they claim are repeated violations of China’s sovereign territory. The state-run media also allege that the Philippines is disseminating misleading information and engaging with outside powers to stir up conflict in the region.
According to commentary published by the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, the Philippines has been emboldened by support from the United States to engage in behavior that is deemed “extremely dangerous” and detrimental to the peace and stability of the surrounding area.
The Philippines’ foreign ministry and the national body overseeing matters in the South China Sea were not available for comment on the allegations during the Christmas holiday.
The South China Sea is a highly contested region, with overlapping claims from several countries including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Despite a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal that dismissed China’s expansive claims in favor of the Philippines, Beijing has continued to disregard the decision.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, recently issued a stark warning, stating that any missteps in the ongoing dispute with the Philippines could provoke a determined response from China. He insisted that dialogue was necessary to resolve what he described as “serious difficulties.”
Earlier this month, China voiced its disapproval of the United States for deploying a navy vessel close to the contested waters, a move that has been a point of contention between China and the Philippines. Chinese media criticized this action as “extremely irresponsible and dangerous,” using the pseudonym Zhong Sheng, which translates to “Voice of China,” a byline frequently used to convey the publication’s stance on international affairs.
Chinese state media has accused the Philippines of infringing on China’s South China Sea territory, spreading false information, and collaborating with external forces to create disruptions. The People’s Daily, a Communist Party publication, criticized the Philippines for its actions supported by the U.S., describing them as a serious threat to regional peace and stability. The Philippines has not commented on these allegations. China’s claims to the South China Sea are contested by several countries, and an international tribunal’s 2016 ruling invalidated China’s expansive claims, which China has rejected. The Chinese Foreign Minister has issued a direct warning, emphasizing the need for dialogue to resolve tensions, and expressing frustration over a U.S. naval ship’s presence near the disputed waters.
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