China, which claims most of the South China Sea, rebuffed the trilateral summit, accusing the participating countries of manipulating bloc politics…reports Asian Lite News
Beijing responded critically on Friday to a trilateral meeting hosted by US President Joe Biden, which included Japan and the Philippines, addressing concerns over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea. Biden’s pledge to defend the Philippines from any attack in the region sparked tension amid repeated confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels. The joint statement issued by the US, Japan, and the Philippines voiced serious concern over Beijing’s behavior, labeling it as dangerous and aggressive.
China, which claims most of the South China Sea, rebuffed the trilateral summit, accusing the participating countries of manipulating bloc politics and engaging in behavior detrimental to regional stability. Beijing emphasized its opposition to closed cliques excluding others in the region and criticized Japan and the Philippines for trilateral cooperation that allegedly undermines Chinese interests.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning defended China’s actions in the East and South China Seas as lawful and appropriate, dismissing criticisms as baseless attacks. Meanwhile, Biden assured Japan and the Philippines of the US’ ironclad defense commitments, emphasizing the importance of their alliance in maintaining peace and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.
During the historic meeting, the leaders underscored their commitment to the rules-based international order, implicitly contrasting their alliance with China’s actions. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida highlighted the significance of multi-layered cooperation, emphasizing the meeting’s historical significance. Biden also held separate talks with Marcos, indicating a continued effort to strengthen ties between the US and its allies in the region.