Tensions between China, Philippines forward of Kamala Harris’s go to to island close to South China Sea

China and the Philippines have been concerned in a tussle over rocket particles within the South China Sea forward of US Vice President Kamala Harris’s go to to an island close to the disputed waters.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 22, 2022 09:24 IST

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks throughout a feminine empowerment discussion board in Manila, Philippines. (Photo: AP)

By India Today Web Desk: Rocket particles floating within the disputed South China Sea grew to become a flashpoint between China and Philippines, forward of US Vice President Kamala Harris’s go to to an island province on the fringe of the disputed sea to amplify America’s assist to its treaty ally.

Tensions erupted when the Philippine Navy alleged a Chinese coast guard vessel had forcibly seized Chinese rocket particles as Filipino sailors have been towing it to their Pag-asa island.

In an announcement on Monday, the Philippines Navy stated that the Chinese coast guard had “forcefully retrieved” floating particles off the waters.

Meanwhile, China confirmed that its maritime police ships discovered an “unknown floating object” within the disputed waters however denied having a confrontation with Filipino sailors. China stated the particles was handed over by Philippine forces after a “friendly consultation”, AP reported.

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Chinese coast guard ships have blocked Philippine provide boats delivering provides to Filipino forces within the disputed waters up to now however have by no means seized objects within the possession of one other nation’s army.

Kamala Harris, whose Taiwan go to lately triggered tensions between China and the island, is flying to western Philippines island province to underline US curiosity in freedom of navigation within the disputed waters.

1951 Mutual Defense Treaty

In 1951, the US and the Philippines signed a treaty the place each nations dedicated to assist one another if an exterior social gathering assaults the Philippines or the United States. Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday reaffirmed the US’s dedication to defend the Philippines beneath the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

“An armed attack on the Philippines armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US Mutual Defense commitments,” Kamala Harris advised President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, AP reported.

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The Philippine coast guard stated it could welcome Harris on board one in every of its greatest patrol ships, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, at a seaport in Puerto Princesa, the place she is scheduled to ship a speech to underscore the significance of worldwide legislation, freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce within the South China Sea.

She would announce an extra help of $7.5 million to Philippine maritime legislation enforcement businesses to spice up their capability to counter unlawful fishing, perform sea surveillance and assist in search and rescue efforts, together with within the South China Sea.

(With inputs from AP)

Published On:

Nov 22, 2022