MANILA – The Chinese Embassy in Manila accused the U.S. as “the problem itself” and never the solution to the South China Sea issue.
In a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy, it accuses China of “stirring up confrontation” and “hyping up tension” for its own geopolitical interest.
According to the embassy, China’s position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear, and is in line with international law, including UNCLOS.
“We firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea,” the embassy reiterated in the statement.
The statement was released as a reaction to U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson’s remarks during an event by the East-West Center recently, underscoring the “chorus” and growing support against actions taken by China that threaten peace and stability in the South China Sea.
In the same remarks, Carlson urged China to abide by UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral ruling, to cease harassment of Philippine vessels lawfully operating in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zones and end interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all states lawfully operating not only in this region but around the world.
The Chinese Embassy responded by saying that “China remains committed to properly managing differences through dialogue and consultation with countries concerned, and would like to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, advance the consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region.”
The Chinese Embassy also pointed out that the U.S. is an outsider to the issue in the South China Sea but is interfering and stoking the situation instead of promoting peace.
“Though not a party to the South China Sea issue, the United States has played a dishonourable part by stirring up confrontation and hyping up tension for its own geopolitical interest,” the statement read.
“When diplomatic efforts are being made by China and the Philippines to manage differences, the United States stokes the situation instead of promoting peace and facilitating talks. History and facts show that the United States has never been a solution to but rather the problem itself,” the Chinese Embassy statement added.
China also accused the U.S. of smearing Chinese vaccines and medical supplies, saying such disinformation campaign has “contributed to tens of thousands of deaths in the Philippines, and endangered the health of people in the region.”
This is after a Reuters report revealed that Pentagon ran a secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during the pandemic with the aim of discrediting China’s Sinovac inoculation.
The report also mentioned that one of the targets of the secret campaign is the Filipino public.
“The Filipino people and the international community have the right to know the truth. Why has the US Embassy in the Philippines remained silent on that? Mustn’t the United States be held accountable for what it did during the pandemic?” the Embassy stated.
