"Matter Between Beijing And Manila": China Annoyed Over Philippine Navy's Maritime Drills With India Amid Sea Dispute

The Chinese military conveyed its annoyance on Thursday (29 December) over the recent naval drills conducted by the Indian and Philippine navies in the contested South China Sea. They asserted that defense collaboration between various nations should not infringe upon the interests of third-party countries or compromise regional peace.

In response to a query from Chinese state media regarding naval drills between an Indian naval ship and a Philippine naval vessel, as well as France's plans to conduct naval and air exercises with the Philippine Navy, Senior Col Wu Qian, the Spokesman for the Chinese Defence Ministry, stated that China has acknowledged these reports.

According to the Economic Times, he stated that China consistently underscores the importance of ensuring that defense and security collaborations between pertinent nations do not infringe upon the rights of third parties or jeopardize regional peace and stability.

China is growing increasingly uneasy about the Philippines' military alliances with other nations. This comes in the wake of recent confrontations between Chinese coastguard ships and Philippine navy vessels in the disputed South China Sea, as Beijing attempts to reinforce its authority over areas that Manila also claims.

This month, the Philippine Navy accused Chinese vessels of utilising water cannons to assault their ships.

The majority of the South China Sea is claimed by China. However, this assertion is contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, who all have their own counterclaims over the region.

Earlier in the month, the INS Kadmatt took part in a maritime exercise in the South China Sea while on a visit to the Philippines. This exercise was conducted alongside the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, an offshore patrol vessel belonging to the Philippine Navy.

Wu stated that the sea dispute between China and the Philippines is a matter strictly between Beijing and Manila, without explicitly naming any country. He further emphasised that no third party holds the authority to interfere.

He stated that China will continue to uphold a heightened level of alertness and implement necessary actions to staunchly protect its national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests.

Wu dismissed the claims that Chinese coastguard ships employed water cannons against Philippine vessels as nothing more than baseless exaggeration.

Despite numerous warnings from China, the Philippines persisted in dispatching a ship into territories claimed by both nations. Allegedly, the Philippine vessel collided with a Chinese coastguard ship, causing damage, according to the Chinese side.

The actions taken by the China Coast Guard were not only necessary but also entirely justified and legitimate, given the perilous and highly unprofessional conduct observed. This was done in strict adherence to the law, he stated.

Regarding the US critique related to the actions of Chinese coastguard ships against Philippine vessels and allusions to Washington's obligations under the Mutual Defence Treaty with Manila, Wu expressed China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to these comments.

He emphasised again that China's sovereignty over the territories Manila is claiming is undeniable. He also accused the US of inciting the Philippines to agitate China.