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PaperclipPerfector  10mo ago (text post)   1265 thread views

Transnational Thursday for December 28, 2023

Transnational Thursday is a thread for people to discuss international news, foreign policy or international relations history. Feel free as well to drop in with coverage of countries you’re interested in, talk about ongoing dynamics like the wars in Israel or Ukraine, or even just whatever you’re reading.

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China and the Philippines

I’ve covered the flare ups between the Philippines and China recently, including China using water cannons to repeatedly attack Philipino ships transporting supplies to fisherman in the contested Scarborough Shoal, and placing up borders at the shoal's entrance. The latest update is China doubling down and fully reiterating their commitment to an aggressive posture in the South China Sea vis-a-vis the Philippines. Regrettable news considering the US is treaty bound to defending the Philippines in a conflict, and has recently reiterated their own commitment to this obligation.

In a phone conversation Wednesday with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique A. Manalo, [Chinese Foreign Minister] Wang “warned that if the Philippine side misjudges the situation, goes its own way, or even colludes with ill-intentioned external forces to continue to stir up troubles, China will defend its rights in accordance with law and respond resolutely,” the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Wang’s comments follow China’s mobilization of its coast guard and maritime militia to block Philippine supply missions to support its soldiers and fishermen. China claims sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, one of the world’s most crucial waterways for shipping, putting it at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, who all maintain claims over islands, reefs and undersea resources in the region.

In particularly sharp comments, Wang was quoted as accusing the Philippines of having “changed its policy stance so far, reneged on the promises it has made, provoked troubles at sea, and undermined China’s legitimate and lawful rights.”

The Philipines has been requesting a multinational naval force that could protect its ships and escort safe passage through the shoal, hopefully including the US, Australia, Japan, and whoever else in on board.

On the plus side for peace, the top US and Chinese military officials are finally speaking again for the first time in over a year (they weren’t able to at the California summit despite Secretary Austin’s willingness because Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu had recently been fired).

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