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The United States assured its allies that it would respond to any threats in the South China Sea, its Navy official said.
“Our naval forces remain ready to respond to any threats to our allies or partners throughout the region,” Vice Admiral Scott Conn, commander of the Third Fleet, said in a teleconference last Thursday.
Conn provided security when the United States began on August 17 the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world’s largest international maritime warfare event, with the participation of 10 countries, including the Philippines.
Conn said the United States was aware of China’s ongoing military exercises in the South China Sea, adding that they had “every right to do so as long as they do so in accordance with international laws and standards.”
Conn said that unlike the Chinese exercises, the RIMPAC has 10 navies from Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore and the United States.
He said these countries were represented by 22 surface ships, a submarine and roughly 5,300 men and women at sea. “I’m pretty sure the number of nations participating in the China exercise is probably less than two,” he said.
Conn said the United States “would continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows to demonstrate our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The United States Department of Defense called Beijing’s recent missile launches over the South China Sea an act that was destabilizing the situation in the region.
Non-military response
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said the United States would restrict the issuance of visas to Chinese working in companies “responsible or complicit” in the large-scale reclamation, construction or militarization of disputed outposts in the South China Sea.
Pompeo said the directive was Washington’s way of showing its support for a “free and open” South China Sea. The restriction also applies to people involved in “China’s use of coercion against Southeast Asian claimants to inhibit their access to offshore resources,” he said.
‘Friendly and peaceful agreement’
Amid growing tension between the two superpowers, Malacañang expressed hope that the United States and China would resolve their differences “amicably and peacefully.”
Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the Philippines viewed both the United States and China as its “special friends and business partners.” “We hope that both partners of the Philippines can reach an understanding and resolve each and every problem between them in a friendly and peaceful manner,” said Roque.
“This result will help further enhance stability and security in the region. This is what is needed for the mutual benefit and interest of everyone in our region, ”he said.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he would recommend scrapping the contracts of Chinese companies linked to the dispute in the South China Sea. Cavite Governor Juanito Víctor “Jonvic” Remulla took the initiative and said he was ready to terminate the contract with China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC), a firm sanctioned by the United States for its alleged participation in recovery activities in southern China. Sea.
The Cavite government awarded the Chinese-Philippine consortium of MacroAsia Corp. and CCCC the Sangley Point International Airport project, a 1,500-hectare planned international airport hub.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the Western Philippine Sea, but the Permanent Court of Arbitration annulled this in July 2016, recognizing the sovereignty of the Philippines in the area.
Duterte has decided to temporarily archive the ruling to maintain peace, stability and cordial relations between the claimant countries in the region. However, the president said he would raise the ruling “maybe once” before his term ends in 2022.
With reports from CATHERINE S. VALENTE
