” DESTABILISING CONDUCT”
Fears of a wider issue that may involve the United States and other friends have increased as a result of China and the Philippines ‘ coastal clashes.
The Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia’s defense ministers met in Hawaii on Monday and released a joint declaration outlining their strong opposition to China’s “dangerous and destabilizing do” in the South China Sea.
The ministries “discussed opportunities to further advance defense participation” and” could work together to support claims ‘ rights and freedoms in the South China Sea.”
The northern area of Palawan, the closest big Asian continent to the hotly disputed Spratly Islands, was the site of US forces ‘ launch next year of HIMARS detail rockets into the South China Sea.
The missile system’s rapid deployment across the Philippines ‘ South China Sea coast, according to the US Marine Corps, was intended to” secure and protect the Philippines ‘ maritime terrain, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zone interests.”
The Philippines and China’s clashes come as Beijing and Taipei’s tensions rise as Beijing installs a new leader deemed a dangerous dissident by China.
The self-ruled island’s defense ministry announced on Friday that it had seen 26 Foreign aircraft and five naval vessels circling the nation’s self-proclaimed area in the previous 24 hours.
Military exercises, according to Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, are a form of deterrence in some respects, according to an aide at a Friday government workshop.
” The more we simulate, the less we actuate”, he added.