The Foreign Secretary of the Philippines rejects the Chinese claim of external influence on marine functions

The Foreign Secretary of the Philippines Enrich Manalo has rejected the claim of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the country’s maritime action is affected by the external forces, called the “deformation of the actual issue”.

Mano stressed that the case worrys about the national interests of the Philippines rather than being part of a strategic rivalry among the major global powers, as reported by the news website Rapper.

During a brief interview on the occasion of a bilateral meeting with British Foreign Minister David Lemy, Manalo said, “In a way, we are distorting the issue. It is being poured into the light of a strategic rivalry among the large powers, when in fact, the issue is actually an issue of Philippine’s interest and how it affects the Philippines. It has no relation with any kind of strategic rivalry among the big powers, and we feel that it should not be seen in this way. ,

his/her comment was in response to Wang Yi’s statement during a press conference on 7 March, in which the Chinese Foreign Minister suggested that the Philippines’ action in the South China Sea “was part of the” Written screenwriting by external forces “.

Wang also claimed that the Western media was increasing these tasks to tarnish China’s reputation. he/she further warned that any “violation and provocation” would backfire, saying that nations would eventually be abandoned as a pawn for others, the rapper said.

Mano’s response confirmed Manila’s position that its marine action is based on its sovereignty and safety concerns, which is independent of foreign influences. The Philippines have consistently claimed their right to protect their interests in disputed water.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Japan have gone to strengthen their defense cooperation amidst concerns over China’s growing outspokenness in the Indo-Pacific sector. In a recent meeting in Manila, Japanese Defense Minister General Nakatani and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro discussed measures to increase military cooperation, including the protection of shared intelligence information.

The discussion reflects wide regional concerns over China’s activities in the seas of South China and Eastern China.