The United States has raised “great concern” over China’s militarization of the South China Sea.
U.S. news network CNBC reported on May 2, that China deployed antiship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three of the Philippine-claimed reefs — Kagitingan (Fiery Cross), Zamora (Subi) and Panganiban (Mischief).
“We’re well aware of China’s militarization of the South China Sea. We’ve raised concerns directly with the Chinese about this and there will be near-term and long-term consequences,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.
CNBC said the YJ-12B anti-ship cruise missiles are the first Chinese missile deployments in the Spratlys, where Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims.
While Vietnam requested China to remove the weapons, the Philippines said it did not have the technology to verify the report.
Malacañang, however, said it was “confident that those missiles are not directed at us” due to the Philippines’ recently developed close relationship and friendship with China. It added that the country “would explore all diplomatic means to address this issue” — drawing criticism from lawmakers and security experts.
President Rodrigo Duterte insisted that there was nothing he could do, acknowledging that the West Philippine Sea has been “eaten slowly” by the expansive claims of China.
“I have nothing against China but China claimed the entire ocean of China Sea,” he said in a speech on Tuesday, May 15, on board BRP Davao del Sur in Casiguran Bay, Aurora to send-off 50 Filipino scientist to the Philippine Rise, formerly Benham Rise.”
A visiting U.S. official urged claimants in the strategic waterway to “pursue dialogue” so as to not “increase tensions and raise the possibility of conflict.”
“Some of the recent reports of militarization would suggest that past commitments are being violated, commitments not to militarize, commitments that have been made publicly and privately to the United States and other parties,” W. Patrick Murphy, acting principal deputy assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific affairs at the U.S. state department, told reporters.
Murphy said the developments in the South China Sea “threatens stability, security and the peace among all of the nations that are connected to this part of the world.”
“The militarization that has been evident for some time threatens to undermine [the negotiations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea] because it puts in question the good faith of parties coming to the table,” he said.
He stressed, however, that the United States is not taking any sides in the matter. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)
