US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to land in the Philippines on Monday amid heightened tensions between China and Manila over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday said it was the “first country to discover it,” after a ministry spokesperson said it was the “first country to discover it.” “This statement is not misleading.” , naming, exploring and exploiting the high seas.
“The Philippines remains resolute against false claims and irresponsible actions that violate the sovereignty, sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines in its maritime zones,” the ministry said in a statement.
In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese coast guard ship is seen aboard the Philippine Navy-operated supply ship M/L Kalayaan as it approaches the disputed Second Thomas Shoal (locally known as Ayungin Shoal) in the South China Sea. A water cannon is used in the issue. December 10, 2023. (Philippine Coast Guard, via AP)
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China has repeatedly sought in recent years to assert control over hundreds of miles of the South China Sea, despite internationally recognized exclusive economic zones maintained by countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Beijing’s increasingly aggressive stance is expected to be a key issue during Blinken’s visit on Monday.
A senior State Department official told reporters: “It is inevitable that when we consult with our partners in the region, we always have to talk about China.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken boards a plane departing for the Philippines from Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Monday, March 18, 2024. (Evelyn Hochstein/Pool Photo via AP)
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Blinken, who visited South Korea for the first time over the weekend, is expected to reiterate the Biden administration’s “ironclad” commitment to regional partners as security concerns continue to rise in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We are focused on maintaining peace and stability and respecting international law,” the official said.
Philippine soldiers look at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near the disputed island of Thittu in the South China Sea on December 1, 2023. (Jam Star Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)
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“We are concerned whenever we see such tensions in the maritime domain,” they added. “There is a risk of miscalculation, but there is no doubt about that.”
“We specifically called on China to show restraint, and most importantly, we called on China to respect international law,” the official added.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Chinese embassy in Manila for comment, but no one was immediately available.
