The China policies”>United States
has expressed concern over China’s “increasingly dangerous and unlawful actions” in the South and East China Seas, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Speaking at a meeting with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Laos, Blinken also warned Beijing against using Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s national day speech as an excuse for provocative actions. In response, the Chinese regime blamed the US and other foreign military forces for instability in the region.China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, rejecting a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated its expansive claims. The country has built up and militarized islands it controls in the area. The South China Sea is a crucial waterway through which about one-third of global trade passes, as well as being rich in fishing stocks, gas, and oil.
China has territorial disputes with four out of ten ASEAN members—Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei—as well as Taiwan. Recent incidents include collisions between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships and flares fired at Philippine aircraft by Beijing.
The US has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend its oldest treaty ally in Asia—the Philippines—if Filipino forces come under armed attack. As part of an annual military exercise earlier this year, the US army deployed its mid-range Typhon missile system to northern Philippines despite protests from China.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., speaking at the summit on Thursday, complained about his country’s continued harassment by China’s actions violating international law. He called for more urgency in ASEAN-China negotiations on a code of conduct governing the South China Sea.
During his speech at the ASEAN-U.S Summit on behalf of President Joe Biden, Blinken reaffirmed America’s commitment to supporting freedom of navigation and stability across Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan celebrated its national day on October 10th with President Lai vowing to maintain independence from mainland China. Since taking office in May this year, Lai has faced increased rhetoric from Beijing against so-called Taiwan separatists along with heightened military activities near Taiwan Strait.
In response to Blinken’s remarks on Thursday regarding Chinese actions destabilizing the South China Sea due to increased military presence by foreign countries including America; Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that these issues are internal affairs for Beijing.
According to a report published by Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), goods worth $2.45 trillion transited through Taiwan Strait last year accounting for over one-fifth of global maritime trade.