In the midst of escalating tensions over sovereignty in the South China Sea, the Philippines on Saturday (April 27) denied China’s claims that both parties had reached relevant agreements, dismissing it as Chinese propaganda.
The spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Manila stated on April 18 that the two sides had reached a consensus on a “new mode” earlier this year to address the tension at Second Thomas Shoal, but did not provide details.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated on Saturday that since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office in 2022, the Defense Department “neither knew nor had joined in any internal agreements with China (the Chinese Communist Party).” He mentioned that there have been no conversations between Defense Department officials and any Chinese officials since last year.
Over the past few months, conflicts have erupted between Beijing and Manila at Second Thomas Shoal, with the Philippines claiming the shoal is within its exclusive economic zone while China asserts sovereignty over it.
The Philippines accused China of blocking supply deliveries to Filipino troops stationed at the shoal and using water cannons on supply vessels. In 1999, Manila purposely ran a World War II landing ship aground at Second Thomas Shoal and deployed a small contingent to guard it, in an effort to assert Philippines’ sovereignty.
China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, a critical global strategic waterway through which $3 trillion worth of goods pass annually. China’s claims overlap with those of the Philippines and four other countries. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims had no legal basis, but Beijing refused to accept the decision.
Teodoro referred to China’s claims about bilateral agreements as “Chinese propaganda,” adding that the Philippines would never sign any agreement that compromises its sovereignty claims over the region.
He stated that the unfounded claims being spread by Chinese officials are an attempt to propagate a “new cycle of lies.”
In response to the issue, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano stated in a statement last Saturday (April 20), “The President’s stance is very clear: this administration does not know of any secret or ‘gentleman’s’ agreement. If such an agreement existed in a previous administration, it has been rescinded.”
Under the leadership of Marcos Jr., the Philippines has been more proactive in publicly asserting its rights within its exclusive economic zone compared to the previous administration, while also building closer military alliances with other nations seeking to uphold the rule of law strategically.
Earlier this month, Marcos Jr. attended the inaugural summit among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, pledging to enhance maritime and economic cooperation. The three countries, along with Australia, also conducted quadrilateral exercises in the West Philippine Sea. China protested, warning that this could escalate tensions in the region.
The Philippine military responded to China’s criticisms, stating that the exercises aim to strengthen Manila’s territorial defense and are not directed at any specific country.
The Philippines began the annual “Balikatan” joint exercises with the United States on Thursday (April 25), involving over 16,800 military personnel from the U.S., Philippines, and Australia, with the participation of a French navy frigate, surpassing previous years. According to Central News Agency, China dispatched an electronic reconnaissance vessel, the “Tianwangxing,” to monitor the exercises.
France is enhancing its security cooperation with the Philippines. The French ambassador stated on Thursday that France and the Philippines will commence negotiations next month on a defense agreement that would allow their troops to conduct exercises on each other’s soil.
French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel indicated that French and Filipino defense ministers agreed in Manila last December to pursue such an agreement. Officials from both countries will meet in Paris next month to discuss the visiting forces agreement.
The Philippines currently has “status-of-forces agreements” or “visiting forces agreements” with the United States and Australia, providing a legal framework for foreign military forces to enter a country.
As tensions with China in the South China Sea continue to escalate, the Philippines and Japan are expected to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) by the end of 2024. The RAA is similar to the U.S.’s visiting forces agreement and will serve as guidelines for Philippine troops entering Japanese territory and vice versa.
This will be the first RAA signed between Japan and a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, following agreements earlier this year with Australia and the United Kingdom.