MANILA : The Philippines’ determination to ramp up ties with Japan and america is a “sovereign alternative”, its overseas ministry stated on Thursday (Apr 18), urging China to “mirror upon its personal actions” within the South China Sea.
“The supply of rigidity in our area is well-known to all,” the overseas affairs division stated in an announcement.
“It’s China’s extreme maritime claims and aggressive behaviour, together with its militarisation of reclaimed options, which might be undermining regional peace and stability and elevating tensions,” it added.
The assertion was in response to China’s criticism over the latest trilateral summit between US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The three leaders have collectively expressed severe issues about China’s “harmful and aggressive behaviour within the South China Sea”.
