WASHINGTON - It was the second summit in two days in the US capital where the critique of China stood out.
"We express our serious concerns about the People's Republic of China's (PRC) dangerous and aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea," said the leaders of the United States, Japan and the Philippines in a joint vision statement after their first trilateral meeting on April II.
"We are also concerned by the militarisation of reclaimed features and unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea," they said, while also noting the "dangerous and coercive use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea".
And in a show of support for the Philippines, there was a reference to the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef that lies inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and which China also claims.
Tensions have risen between Beijing and Manila over the Chinese coast guard's attempts to stop the resupplying of a Philippine navy ship grounded at the shoal, including by firing water cannon at supply ships.
"We reiterate serious concern over the PRC's repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels' exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and the disruption of supply lines to Second Thomas Shoal, which constitute dangerous and destabilising conduct," the vision statement said.
The pointed mentions of China as an aggressor echoed those made when the US and Japan announced the most significant upgrade to their security alliance on April 10.
Those remarks produced a strong reaction in Beijing, with its foreign ministry spokesperson saying the US and Japan had "smeared and attacked China on Taiwan and maritime issues, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs". Demarches or diplomatic reprimands had also been issued.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 13, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 13, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
EVEREST CLIMBS TO GROUP 1 HEIGHTS
World’s richest sprint race gains recognition at its eighth running, as well as All-Star Mile
Heat stress Different work conditions require flexible guidelines on workers' attire
We thank Mr Rahul Gupta for his suggestions (Study standard heat-friendly work clothes for outdoor workers, Oct 8).
Airbus deliveries drop as suppliers struggle
PARIS Airbus deliveries fell 9 per cent in September to 50 jets compared with the same month in 2023, the European planemaker said on Oct 9, rekindling a debate over the strength of its industrial goals as suppliers struggle to keep up with demand.
Mental health ambassadors at all PAP branches by 2025
By 2025, all 93 People's Action Party (PAP) branches will have mental health ambassadors to promote mental well-being in every neighbourhood and support the work of MPs in addressing residents' mental health concerns.
Zelensky says there is 'real chance' to end war in 2025
He did not reveal how this could happen but is counting on support from key allies
Prabowo defends plan to expand government with ‘fat' Cabinet
JAKARTA Indonesia's Presidentelect Prabowo Subianto has defended his plan to expand government agencies, saying it is needed for a strong administration even if critics call it a \"fat\" Cabinet that will bloat the bureaucracy.
Baby in Malaysia has stage three ovarian cancer
Rhea Yasmine
Death penalty of Najib's ex-bodyguard commuted
Federal court reduces his sentence to 40 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has commuted the death sentence of an ex-police guard of former premier Najib Razak, after the country changed its law on capital punishment.
Patriarch of India's Tata Group dies at 86
Former chairman Ratan Tata’s business moves helped put country on world stage
NewJeans' Hanni to testify about workplace bullying at inquiry
K-pop idol Hanni of girl group NewJeans is taking a stand. She has announced her intention to testify before the South Korean National Assembly's Environment and Labour Committee as part of a workplace harassment inquiry slated for Oct 25.