13th January 2025 – (Beijing) In response to the Philippines’ diplomatic protest regarding China’s “continued illegal presence and activities” in its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun asserted that China’s claims in the region are firmly rooted in historical context and international law. This statement follows the return of the China Coast Guard vessel CCG 5901 to the disputed area.
Guo emphasised that China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea is well-established and that the activities of the CCG are lawful and justifiable. He called on the Philippines to cease what he termed “malicious accusations,” framing the Philippines’ criticisms as reflective of a distorted legal position.
Li Kaisheng, vice president of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, supported Guo’s remarks, describing the Philippines’ reaction to the CCG vessel as untenable. He suggested that the Filipino government’s rhetoric exposes a psychological impact on certain politicians, who feel threatened by China’s law enforcement activities in the region.
Reports indicate that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received commendation from US President Joe Biden for his diplomatic stance regarding China’s actions in the South China Sea during a recent trilateral call involving Japan, the Philippines, and the US. Analysts interpret this as a demonstration of the close ties between the Biden administration and Manila.
Yang Xiao, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, commented on the Philippines’ strategy, suggesting that the country aims to sustain tensions in the South China Sea to ensure ongoing support from the US. However, he cautioned that the effectiveness of such strategies may diminish as Biden’s term nears its conclusion, positing that the future of US-Philippine relations may hinge on the incoming administration’s foreign policy priorities.
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English (US) ·