According to foreign media reports, in order to commemorate the so-called "6th anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration", some Philippines demonstrators ran to protest outside the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines. Secretary of State Blinken, who had just attended the G20 foreign ministers' meeting and returned to the United States, lost no time in posting on social media: Six years ago, the arbitral tribunal rejected China's extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea as having no basis in international law. We support our ally the Philippines to continue to defend itself. rights and oppose China’s “provocation” and “intimidation”.
Subsequently, Blinken issued an official statement through the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, and the wording became stronger. In the statement, Blinken urged China to abide by international law and stop its "provocative" behavior in the South China Sea. reiterated that if the Philippine military is attacked in the South China Sea Attack, the United States will honor its mutual defense commitments and protect its allies in accordance with the " US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty ".
After Blinken made arrogant remarks on the South China Sea issue, Philippine Foreign Minister Manaro responded. He also issued a statement stating that the award of the South China Sea International Arbitration Case was an "undisputed final award" and firmly opposed to weakening it. attempt. During a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 7, Manaro also promised China to insist on using diplomatic means to negotiate and resolve existing disputes over islands and reefs in a peaceful manner, and to work with China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. Stablize.
Previously, when Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Philippine President Marcos , Marcos also made it clear that the Philippines pursues the diplomatic concept of peace and independence. China and the Philippines are friends, partners and close neighbors. The friendly relations between the two countries can only be... must be further strengthened. Marcos also emphasized that the South China Sea issue is not the mainstream of China-Philippines relations and should not become a restriction or obstacle to cooperation between the two sides. The Philippines is willing to work with China to find a proper solution to the South China Sea issue.
In less than a week, the attitude of the Philippines has undergone a major change, regarding the provocative behavior of senior US and Philippine officials making nonsense on the South China Sea issue. At a regular press conference on July 13, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave a detailed response. Wang Wenbin first stated China's consistent position on the South China Sea issue. In its statement on July 12, 2016, China had stated that the arbitration case violated a series of international laws including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and China determined that it was illegal and invalid. , neither accepts nor recognizes the "award", nor accepts any claims or actions based on the "award". Wang Wenbin also criticized the United States for its interference in South China Sea affairs, accusing the United States of ignoring the history and objective facts of the South China Sea issue, distorting international law, and violating its public commitment to not take a position on the South China Sea sovereignty issue.
Finally, Wang Wenbin issued a warning, urging the United States to respect China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop causing trouble in the South China Sea, and use the South China Sea issue to sow discord among regional countries. China will definitely respond in accordance with the law.
The Philippine government's position on the South China Sea issue has repeatedly jumped, and it is not a wise choice to follow the "baton" of the United States. Vietnam, which also has conflicts and differences with China in the South China Sea, has a handling method that the Philippines can learn from. On July 13, at the 14th meeting of the China-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh made a commitment to China in the presence of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, claiming that Vietnam was willing to strengthen its comprehensive strategy with China cooperative partnership, pursue an independent, all-round, and diversified foreign policy, place relations with China as the top priority in Vietnam's diplomatic work, and remain friendly to China is a strategic choice made by Vietnam.
After Vietnam showed its friendly gesture towards China, the two sides reached a consensus on the South China Sea issue. They agreed to properly handle sensitive maritime issues and promote maritime cooperation to achieve more visible results. They also signed a number of important agreements involving the marine environment, maritime cooperation, etc. Cooperation documents.
At present, China and ASEAN countries are fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. All parties have agreed to use the "double-regulation approach" to resolve South China Sea issues and properly handle maritime disputes. As an ASEAN member and a neighboring country in the South China Sea, the Philippines has frequently changed It undermines the consensus of all parties and is of no benefit to its own development and China-Philippines relations. It is also inconsistent with the general trend of strengthening cooperation and downplaying differences among all parties in the South China Sea.
