Chinese embassy says US trying to drive a wedge between China, Philippines

The Chinese embassy in Manila has accused the United States of driving a wedge between China and the Philippines after the US State Department raised the issue of swarms of Chinese vessels in the Spratlys interfering with the livelihoods of Filipino fishers in the area.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy said the US kept meddling in the South China Sea disputes and "trying to drive wedges between countries in the region, creating tensions and harming regional peace and stability."

"The statement on the South China Sea by the spokesperson of the US Department of State on December 19th contains unfounded accusations against China that attempt to stir up troubles and drive a wedge between China and the Philippines," the Chinese embassy said.

"We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this," it added.

US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price has said the US supported the Philippines' calls on China to respect the international of the sea in the South China Sea.

The US also mentioned the 2016 arbitral ruling which upheld the Philippines exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over China's historical claims.

"The reported escalating swarms of PRC (People's Republic of China) vessels in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands interfere with the livelihoods of Philippine fishing communities, and also reflect continuing disregard for other South China Sea claimants and states lawfully operating in the region,” Price said.

“The United States supports the Philippines’ continued calls upon the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to respect the international law of the sea in the South China Sea, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and its legal obligations pursuant to the 2016 arbitral ruling,” he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News