Philippine Foreign Minister: "We Must Sever Ties with Chinese Companies Building Bases in the South China Sea"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs has asserted that the country must sever ties with Chinese companies constructing military bases in the South China Sea, which the United States has decided to sanction. This is interpreted as the Philippine government stepping away from its previous pro-China stance and signaling its participation in the U.S. sanctions against China amid escalating territorial disputes between China and the Philippines.

On the 28th, Teodoro Locsin, the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, stated in an interview with CNN Philippines, "I strongly recommend cutting off relations with companies that are building military bases in the South China Sea and are subject to U.S. sanctions," adding, "I believe the Department of Transportation and other relevant agencies should be requested to address this issue." This remark is understood to refer to the involvement of a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), a Chinese state-owned enterprise included in the U.S. sanctions list, in the first phase of the Sangley Point International Airport construction project underway in Cavite Province, northern Philippines.

It is considered unusual that the head of Philippine diplomacy, who has expressed a pro-China stance since President Rodrigo Duterte's inauguration, is now advocating for joining the U.S. sanctions against Chinese companies. Analysts link this to the recent intensification of territorial disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea region. Earlier, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs sent a protest document to China on the 20th regarding the Chinese Coast Guard's seizure of fish aggregating devices (FADs) installed by Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal in May.

The Philippine government conveyed its firm opposition to China's continued radar emissions directed at Philippine military aircraft conducting regular maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In response, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rebutted at the regular briefing on the 21st, stating, "The Chinese Coast Guard was enforcing the law, so it was a normal activity."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.