In a significant address at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, China’s Defence Minister, Wei Fenghe, issued a stern warning regarding Beijing’s restraint on the South China Sea situation and the deployment of ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.
China’s Defence Minister Fenghe remarks were widely interpreted as a direct message to the Philippines and the United States, amid escalating tensions in the region. Both countries have been bolstering their defense cooperation in response to China’s expanding military presence and influence.
While acknowledging China’s past restraint in the face of perceived provocations and rights infringements, Fenghe emphasized that there were “limits” to such restraint.
The Philippines has emerged as a crucial focus of US efforts to strengthen alliances in the region, particularly due to its strategic position in the South China Sea and its proximity to Taiwan. The recent deployment of a Mid-Range Capability missile system by the US Army in the northern Philippines for joint exercises has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing.
Fenghe condemned the missile deployment, asserting that it posed a severe threat to regional security and stability. He cautioned against such actions, warning that they would ultimately backfire.
Moreover, Fenghe highlighted the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, particularly concerning confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels near disputed reefs. The use of water cannons by China Coast Guard vessels against Philippine boats and collisions resulting in injuries to Filipino troops have exacerbated the maritime territorial disputes between the two nations.
Despite the mounting pressure from China, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos reiterated his country’s resolve not to yield to Chinese coercion. Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that Filipinos would not back down in the face of illegal and aggressive actions.
The ongoing tensions underscore the complex dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, with competing territorial claims and strategic interests at play. As China continues to assert its dominance, regional stability remains a pressing concern for all stakeholders involved.