BEIJING: China warned Britain on Tuesday (Mar 11) in opposition to “scary tensions” within the South China Sea after its overseas minister David Lammy referred to as Beijing’s actions within the disputed waters “harmful and destabilising”.
In a video partly filmed alongside a vessel belonging to the Philippine Coast Guard, Lammy on Monday condemned “harmful and destabilising actions” by Beijing within the South China Sea.
China claims the strategically vital waterway in almost its entirety, regardless of a global ruling that its claims don’t have any authorized foundation.
Requested about Lammy’s feedback, overseas ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning mentioned “the UK ought to respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and pursuits within the South China Sea and chorus from scary tensions or sowing discord over regional disputes”.
“The South China Sea is presently one of many most secure and freest maritime routes on the planet,” Mao mentioned.
Beijing has deployed navy and coast guard vessels in a bid to bar Manila from essential reefs and islands within the South China Sea, resulting in a string of confrontations in latest months.
In a Saturday assembly together with his Filipino counterpart Enrique Manalo, Britain and the Philippines signed a joint framework to spice up defence and maritime cooperation.
The Philippines has related agreements with the US, Australia and Japan.
