THE Chinese Embassy in Manila reacted to the US reinforcing its Mutual Defence Treaty with the Philippines, saying the pact will not deflect China's 'will and resolve', reported the Philippines Inquirer.
'The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is not in the position of interfering in issues between China and the Philippines. The recent tension in the South China Sea would not have occurred without the US egging on the Philippines,' the Chinese embassy told reporters.
But US President Joe Biden has again guaranteed that any attack on a Philippine aircraft, vessel, or armed forces in the South China Sea will invoke the Mutual Defence Treaty.
President Biden made it clear in his opening speech at the summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio that Washington's defence commitments to the two Asian countries are 'ironclad.'
The United States and the Philippines have had the treaty in place for more than 70 years. It requires both nations to send support if a party is being attacked.
'China is determined to uphold our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty will not move us a bit from our will and resolve,' it added.
The Inquirer has sought a Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) comment on China's remarks, but it has yet to respond as of writing.
Speaking at the historic trilateral summit held on April 11, US President Joe Biden guaranteed that any attack on a Philippine aircraft, vessel, or armed forces in the West Philippine Sea would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty.
'We're deepening our maritime and security ties; this is something I know you discussed with Vice President Harris during her travel to the Indo-Pacific. And I want to be clear: the United States defence commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad; they are ironclad,' said President Biden.
The first-ever trilateral summit between the Philippines, the United States and Japan took place amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
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'The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is not in the position of interfering in issues between China and the Philippines. The recent tension in the South China Sea would not have occurred without the US egging on the Philippines,' the Chinese embassy told reporters.
But US President Joe Biden has again guaranteed that any attack on a Philippine aircraft, vessel, or armed forces in the South China Sea will invoke the Mutual Defence Treaty.
President Biden made it clear in his opening speech at the summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio that Washington's defence commitments to the two Asian countries are 'ironclad.'
The United States and the Philippines have had the treaty in place for more than 70 years. It requires both nations to send support if a party is being attacked.
'China is determined to uphold our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty will not move us a bit from our will and resolve,' it added.
The Inquirer has sought a Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) comment on China's remarks, but it has yet to respond as of writing.
Speaking at the historic trilateral summit held on April 11, US President Joe Biden guaranteed that any attack on a Philippine aircraft, vessel, or armed forces in the West Philippine Sea would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty.
'We're deepening our maritime and security ties; this is something I know you discussed with Vice President Harris during her travel to the Indo-Pacific. And I want to be clear: the United States defence commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad; they are ironclad,' said President Biden.
The first-ever trilateral summit between the Philippines, the United States and Japan took place amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
SeaNews Turkey
