“IRONCLAD”
To combat China’s growing effect, the United States has fought to increase military cooperation with its allies in the area.
Major US officials have repeatedly declared the United States ‘ “ironclad” commitment to defending the Philippines, a treaty alliance, against an military assault in the South China Sea- to the confusion of Beijing.
China asserts that it has the entire lake despite competing statements from other nations, including the Philippines, and a global decision that its position has no constitutional basis.
China’s Coast Guard said Saturday it had “handled” a position at a disputed coral on Thursday, when it claimed many ships from the Philippines were engaged in “illegal” activities.
According to official Gan Yu, Spanish authorities ships have intentionally violated and propelled the organized media to deliberately mislead and continue to undermine balance in the South China Sea under the guise of “protecting fishing.”
” We are telling the Philippines that any infringement tactics are in vain”, Gan said, adding that China would “regularly enforce the law in waters under ( its ) jurisdiction”.
Under Ferdinand Marcos, the president of the Philippines, who has taken a stronger position against Chinese activities in the water than his father Rodrigo Duterte, the relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated.
In recent months, Philippine and Chinese vessels have engaged in some clashes, including fatalities, close to disputed islands.
Marcos issued a statement on Mar 28 vowing the land would not be” cowed into silence, obedience, or acquiescence” by China.
He likewise said the Philippines may respond to recent incidents with measures that would be “proportionate, intentional, and acceptable”.