South China Sea: Beijing wants Philippines to cede its claims, Manila’s defence minister says
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro claims China’s actions are contrary to international law and closer ties with partners like Australia are crucial
The fifth such meeting since August 2023 reflects growing security ties between the countries, which have both voiced concern about Chinese activity in areas of the busy waterway claimed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations.
“What we see is an increasing demand by Beijing for us to concede our sovereign rights in the area,” Teodoro said after meeting Australian counterpart Richard Marles, adding that the Philippines was a “victim of Chinese aggression”.
In Beijing, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said China took measures to assert its rights after the Philippines “infringed first”.
“If the Philippines no longer infringes and provokes, there will be no more escalation of the maritime situation,” the spokesperson, Lin Jian, told a briefing.
China and the Philippines have sparred repeatedly this year over disputed areas of the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, one of Asia’s most contested features.
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