Tensions in the Pacific have been ramping up yet again as the Philippines braces for confrontation with China.
Manila is anticipating escalating hostilities with Beijing’s vessels in the South China Sea following two dangerous incidents in contested waters.
Alberto Carlos, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Palawan-based Western Command, warned the military was expecting “more coercive actions from China, short of armed attack”.
Carlos' intervention comes after two incidents over the weekend.
One incident saw Chinese vessels collide with and shoot water cannons at Filipino vessels.
The second saw China fire water cannons at three Fisheries Bureau vessels.
Both incidents took place well within the Philippines' side of the exclusive economic zone.
Carlos told CNN: “It’s already escalating… we expect more coercive action from China.
“After water cannon, we expect ramming, we expect them to attempt to board our vessel, which is something that we will not allow them to do.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:- Covid app 'reactivated' in China with fears lockdown rules to return
- China's economy set for new blow in 2024 as World Bank issues warning
- China's economy risks 'vicious loop' of spiralling decline - warning issued
However, Carlos suggested Beijing would look to limit its actions to avoid triggering an American response under the Mutual Defence Treaty.
He added: “We are wargaming this and we are prepared for any contingency that will happen.”
The situation is creating increasingly fraught tensions between Beijing and Manila.
The Philippines summoned the Chinese Ambassador to protest the “back-to-back harassments”.
Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs stated that “the actions of the Chinese vessels within the Philippine exclusive economic zone are illegal and violate the freedom of navigation”.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr also claimed the actions “have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea”.
Beijing has been criticised for its conduct by a number of nations across the West, including the US and Australia.
The confrontations come just weeks after foreign policy hawk Dr Gordon Chang told GB News that China could attack the Philippines before turning its attention to Taiwan.
He said: “I think the military understands that Taiwan is too hard a target but we are seeing some very dangerous Chinese activities in the South China Sea.”
from GB News https://ift.tt/wX7lpAd
Tensions in the Pacific have been ramping up yet again as the Philippines braces for confrontation with China.
Manila is anticipating escalating hostilities with Beijing’s vessels in the South China Sea following two dangerous incidents in contested waters.
Alberto Carlos, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Palawan-based Western Command, warned the military was expecting “more coercive actions from China, short of armed attack”.
Carlos' intervention comes after two incidents over the weekend.
One incident saw Chinese vessels collide with and shoot water cannons at Filipino vessels.
The second saw China fire water cannons at three Fisheries Bureau vessels.
Both incidents took place well within the Philippines' side of the exclusive economic zone.
Carlos told CNN: “It’s already escalating… we expect more coercive action from China.
“After water cannon, we expect ramming, we expect them to attempt to board our vessel, which is something that we will not allow them to do.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:- Covid app 'reactivated' in China with fears lockdown rules to return
- China's economy set for new blow in 2024 as World Bank issues warning
- China's economy risks 'vicious loop' of spiralling decline - warning issued
However, Carlos suggested Beijing would look to limit its actions to avoid triggering an American response under the Mutual Defence Treaty.
He added: “We are wargaming this and we are prepared for any contingency that will happen.”
The situation is creating increasingly fraught tensions between Beijing and Manila.
The Philippines summoned the Chinese Ambassador to protest the “back-to-back harassments”.
Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs stated that “the actions of the Chinese vessels within the Philippine exclusive economic zone are illegal and violate the freedom of navigation”.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr also claimed the actions “have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea”.
Beijing has been criticised for its conduct by a number of nations across the West, including the US and Australia.
The confrontations come just weeks after foreign policy hawk Dr Gordon Chang told GB News that China could attack the Philippines before turning its attention to Taiwan.
He said: “I think the military understands that Taiwan is too hard a target but we are seeing some very dangerous Chinese activities in the South China Sea.”
0 Comments
Don't share any link