US officer tells China: Rethink SCS tactics

With more Chinese vessels turning up slowly but steadily in the West Philippine Sea, the chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command has warned his counterpart in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) against making dangerous and escalatory actions in the South China Sea.

- PIA LEE-BRAGO and MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

During a video conference yesterday with Gen. Wu Yanan of PLA's Southern Theater Command, US Adm. Samuel Paparo underscored the importance of sustained lines of communication between the US military and the PLA, noting that "such discussions between senior leaders serve to clarify intent and reduce the risk of misperception or miscalculation." Wu's Southern Theater Command is responsible for China's military activities in the South China Sea.

The US Indo-Pacific Command, in a statement, said Paparo “urged the PLA to reconsider its use of dangerous, coercive and potentially escalatory tactics in the South China Sea and beyond.”

Also on Monday, Beijing – through its embassy in Manila – warned against linking the Taiwan issue to the maritime issue with the Philippines.

“Taiwan question is not and should never become an issue between China and the Philippines,” the embassy said.