Philippines rejects China's demand to exclude Western powers from South China Sea

The Philippines has rejected China's demand to exclude Western powers from the South China Sea, vowing to keep them in the strategic waterway.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. stated this position as ASEAN members negotiate a Code of Conduct (COC) with China.

Locsin assured Western nations that they would not be excluded and emphasized their presence is necessary as a balancer.

He stated that China's demand to exclude Western powers would never be allowed.

This stance was articulated when lawmakers questioned the Philippines' approach of filing protests against China.

Locsin explained that unlike Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan, the Philippines is in active conflict with China due to its continued aggressive behavior and expansive claims, which lack legal or historical basis according to the 2016 Hague ruling.