BEIJING: Chinese state-media accused the Philippines of using the Asean group of nations as an “accomplice” in the violation of its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea yesterday, and warned of a potential “counterstrike”.
The editorial in the overseas edition of the People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of China’s ruling Communist Party, came as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) was due to meet in Brunei, with disputes in the Sea expected to dominate discussions. The Philippines, which has sought closer ties with Washington amid territorial disputes with Beijing, “calls on the United States as ‘patron’” and uses Asean as an “accomplice,” the editorial said.
It added that the Philippines was guilty of “seven sins,” including the “illegal occupation” of parts of the Spratly Islands, strengthening control over disputed coral reefs, inviting foreign companies to develop oil and gas resources in disputed waters, and promoting the “internationalisation” of the Sea.
“If the Philippines continues to provoke China... a counterstrike will be hard to avoid,” the editorial said.
Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a statement that “there is no place in the relations of civilised nations to use such provocative language”.
AFP
