PH, US, Japan condemn China's 'dangerous behavior' in South China Sea

The Philippines, the United States, and Japan have jointly condemned China's "dangerous and aggressive behavior" in the South China Sea, specifically citing the militarization of reclaimed features and unlawful maritime claims.

This condemnation followed a trilateral meeting in Washington between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The leaders also opposed the "dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels" and efforts to disrupt offshore resource exploitation.

A joint statement expressed serious concern over the People's Republic of China's repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels' freedom of navigation and supply lines to the Second Thomas Shoal.

In response, China's embassy in Manila stated that the trilateral meeting was "a platform to launch baseless attack" against Beijing, claiming it interfered with China's internal affairs and undermined its security.

China asserted that the situations in the South and East China Seas are "generally stable" and reiterated its claims over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.