During his election campaign last month, Duterte said that he is willing to engage in bilateral dialogue with China to resolve the South China Sea dispute.
Advertisement
“If the U.S. military keeps making provocative moves to challenge China’s sovereignty in the region, it will give Beijing a good opportunity to declare an ADIZ in the South China Sea”, the source told the newspaper. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims.
“Launching the ‘Freedom of Navigation (FON)’ program in 1979, under the Jimmy Carter administration, Washington just wants to legitimize its undeserved interests around the world depending on its military supremacy”, China Daily wrote.
The build-up is part of an effort by the Philippines to strengthen its claims in the disputed South China Sea, where China has been constructing artificial islands.
China claims nearly all of South China Sea which is disputed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
Obama’s presidency has seen escalating diplomatic and military tensions over Beijing’s claim to territory throughout the South China Sea.
Top Chinese and U.S. officials will also meet next week for their annual strategic and economic dialogue in Beijing.
A direct confrontation between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is not likely at this point because of the involvement of many countries in the territorial row, experts said.
He refuted the US accusations against China of the so-called “militarization” of the area, saying that there are only “limited defense facilities” on the islands and reefs that have always been under China’s control.
“We are concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas, and emphasize the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes”, said the statement, which also includes the East Sea, where Japan and China are also locked in a maritime row.
During a news conference in February, Adm. Harry Harris, head of Pacific Command, said the US would ignore the ADIZ if China moves forward.
Advertisement
China has been seeking support to its stand for bilateral settlement of issues as a tribunal appointed by UN Convention on Law of Seas (UNCLOS) geared up to deliver its judgement. The ADIZ triggered a backlash from Japan, South Korea and the US.
