Washington, Aug 8 (EFE).- The United States condemned China’s Saturday military maneuvers on Scarborough Reef, disputed with the Philippines, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea.
“The United States rejects China’s ongoing attempts to enforce its destabilizing “national nature reserve” at Scarborough Reef and deny Filipino fishermen access to their traditional fishing ground as reflected in the 2016 Arbitral Award,» Tommy Pigott, a spokesperson for the US State Department, stated.
He also accused Beijing of “another unilateral attempt by China to use dubious environmental and legal pretexts, backed by coercion, to advance its sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors.”
The State Department also emphasized that the US stands with its “ally,” referring to the Philippines, in defending a “free and open” Indo-Pacific.
Last week, China conducted new joint naval and air exercises around Scarborough, a move it described as “necessary” given the current situation in the South China Sea, saying they responded to the actions of “certain countries” that undermine regional peace and stability.
Beijing has maintained effective control of Scarborough since 2012, claiming sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. EFE
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