China has conducted “routine” military patrols in the South China Sea and issued a stern warning to the Philippines against any provocations. This warning comes amid ongoing maritime tensions that have seen frequent confrontations between the two nations’ coastguard vessels and significant naval exercises in the region.
A spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command stated that the Philippines must cease its provocative actions immediately. The official emphasized that any attempts to escalate tensions or involve external forces would be futile. “We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop provoking incidents and escalating tensions in the South China Sea,” the spokesperson said on Sunday. “Any attempt to stir up trouble or disrupt the situation will not succeed.”
The Philippine maritime council and armed forces did not respond to inquiries outside of office hours, nor did the Philippine embassy in Beijing provide immediate comments regarding the situation.
In a related context, the US Indo-Pacific Command announced that joint maritime exercises involving Japan, the Philippines, and the United States were conducted in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone from September 11 to 13. These exercises aimed to strengthen regional cooperation and support a free and open Indo-Pacific. The statement highlighted that, “The US, along with our allies and partners, upholds the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect to the maritime rights under international law.”
The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning what he described as China’s “destabilising plans” concerning a disputed atoll in the South China Sea. The region, which is crucial for global trade, carries an estimated annual commerce value exceeding $3 trillion.
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, despite overlapping claims from the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The ongoing disputes underscore the geopolitical complexities in this strategically vital area, where tensions continue to rise amid military posturing and international alliances.
