1 month ago
24
China and the Philippines have traded accusations in recent months over clashes in the South China Sea, including charges China intentionally rammed Manila’s navy boats, seriously injuring a Filipino sailor. Beijing has disputed this, saying its actions were lawful and professional. read more
 "Philippines, Germany vow to finalise defense pact amidst rising South China Sea tensions")
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (left) and Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro meeting in Manila on Aug 4. Image: Reuters
Germany and the Philippines reached an agreement to expedite the finalisation of a defence agreement that would facilitate joint military training and possible sale of German weapons to address counter-security challenges, including China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea, which Manila’s defense chief said was “the sole cause of tensions” and conflicts in the disputed waters.
While commemorating the 70 years of diplomatic relations between both countries, the delegates also showed interest in establishing long-term relations between their armed forces. And also to expand defence training routines, bilateral exchanges and engage in joint projects.
Recently, tensions between Beijing and Manila have increased due to several altercations happening in the disputed areas of the South China Sea.
In June this year, Manila claimed that China had rammed Manila’s navy vessels during a resupply mission on the Second Thomas Shoal. The incident at that time seriously injured Filipino sailors. Similarly, the defence forces of Taiwan, yet another country facing China’s expansionist claims have also reported several interventions by Chinese aircraft in its airspace in July this year.
China currently claims its authority over the majority of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague clarifying that Beijing’s claims in the area had no legal basis.
The decision was based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, it was rejected by China.
According to the Arab News report, during a press meeting on the sidelines of the event, Teodoro mentioned, “There is only one cause of conflict in the South China Sea … It is China’s illegal and unilateral attempt to appropriate most, if not all, of the South China Sea as their internal waters.
The Philippines is not provoking China. We do not seek war, yet we are mandated not only by our constitution but as an obligation to our countrymen to protect whatever areas, whether be jurisdiction or rights, that rightfully belong to the exclusive benefit of Filipinos.”
The move by Manila and Berlin came within days after the US announced USD 500 million military funding to modernise the Philippine army. Pistorius’s,visit to the Philippines was the first organized by a German defence minister, the Arab News report claimed.
China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed as exclusive economic zones by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said Beijing’s claims had no legal basis. China rejects that decision.
The South China Sea is a vital trade route with more than $3 trillion in ship-borne trade passing through it every year.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·