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South China Sea
ChinaDiplomacy

South China Sea: Beijing warns neighbours of US ‘geopolitical self-interest’ in region

  • Chinese foreign ministry says Washington has played ‘extremely dishonourable role’ by supporting Manila’s ‘abusive acts’ in contested waters
  • It comes in response to Shangri-La Dialogue speech by Philippine president denouncing ‘illegal coercive’ actions in territorial disputes

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Among China’s neighbours, the Philippines has been the most assertive in countering Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea in recent years. Photo: Reuters
Zhao Ziwen
China urged countries around the South China Sea to be wary of Washington’s “geopolitical self-interest” and maintain autonomy to keep the region stable.
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The warning from China’s foreign ministry on Monday was in response to claims by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s of “illegal coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions” in the contested waters – an apparent reference to Beijing and its territorial disputes with Manila.
Marcos made the comments at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday.
The Chinese foreign ministry said the Philippines was “solely responsible” for the recent escalation in the South China Sea.

It also took aim at the United States, saying the country had played “an extremely dishonourable role” by supporting Manila.

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“The United States, out of geopolitical self-interest, has played an extremely dishonourable role by supporting and cooperating with the Philippine side’s abusive acts and using the South China Sea issue to provoke tensions between China and regional countries.

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