US, China spar over South China Sea at Laos talks

‘OPEN’ DISCUSSION US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet on Saturday to tackle issues regarding the South China Sea. —Agence France-Presse

VIENTIANE, Laos — The top diplomats of China and the United States sparred on Saturday in a meeting in Laos over the South China Sea, where Beijing is locked in a territorial dispute with US treaty ally the Philippines.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on the sidelines of a foreign ministers’ meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Vientiane.

The United States hailed the meeting as “open and productive,” after Blinken had criticized Beijing’s “escalatory and unlawful actions” in the South China Sea.

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Chinese and Filipino ships have clashed in the waterway, fueling fears of a conflict that could drag in the United States due to its mutual defense treaty with Manila.

The United States should “refrain from fanning the flames, stirring up trouble and undermining stability at sea,” Wang said at the meeting, according to a foreign ministry statement.

“The risks and challenges facing China-US relations are still rising,” he said.

Blinken also raised “US concerns about provocative actions” by China, including a simulated blockade of Taiwan following the May inauguration of President Lai Ching-te.

China claims the democratic island as its territory and slammed Lai’s inauguration speech as “confession of independence.”

“Whenever the promoters of Taiwanese independence will make a provocation, we will respond with a countermeasure,” Wang said, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry.

During the meeting, which a US Department of State official said lasted an hour and 20 minutes, Blinken also raised US concerns over China’s support for Russia as it wages war in Ukraine.

The two had not arranged another meeting.

Stormy seas

Beijing claims the South China Sea—through which trillions of dollars of trade passes annually—almost in its entirety despite an international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in a face-off on June 17 when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an ax foiled a Philippine Navy resupply attempt.

On Saturday, Manila said it had successfully resupplied troops posted at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal—the focus of clashes in recent months—under an agreement with Beijing.

According to a Chinese foreign ministry statement released later, Wang said the deal was a “temporary arrangement … to manage the situation,” without giving details.

On Friday, Wang called on the Philippines to “honor its commitments” rather than “backtracking or creating complications,” warning that Beijing would “respond resolutely” to any violation of its terms with Manila.

‘Mischaracterized’

On Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called out its Chinese counterpart for “misrepresenting” the latest resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal by claiming there was prior notification and on-site inspection before the operation.

The DFA said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson “mischaracterized” the RoRe (rotation and resupply) mission to BRP Sierra Madre on Saturday.

Beijing earlier claimed that it was “informed of the resupply before it was carried out.”

“After confirming on the scene that the Philippine vessel carried only humanitarian living necessities, the Chinese side let the vessel through,” the Chinese spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday, hours after the Rore mission.

Reacting to these claims, the DFA on Sunday criticized Beijing, saying that “instead of acknowledging how two countries were able to manage differences in order to avoid miscalculation and misunderstanding, the spokesperson chose to misrepresent what has been agreed between the Philippines and China regarding Rore missions in Ayungin Shoal.”

“Let us make it absolutely clear: the understanding between the Philippines and China was concluded in good faith, with the explicit agreement that it will not prejudice national positions. It is not helpful to keep giving false notions about what has been agreed on and how they were implemented,” the DFA added.

“The Philippines’ core positions on West Philippine Sea issues remain clear and consistent, including as regards our legally settled maritime entitlements and our lawful right to conduct routine activities within our own exclusive economic zone,” it added.

The provisional agreement between the two countries was reached after a series of consultations following “frank and constructive discussions” during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila on July 2.

The DFA did not elaborate on the specifics of the supposed deal despite numerous requests from the media.

No interference

While there were no reported “untoward incidents,” Chinese vessels kept a watchful gaze on Philippine ships during the latest RoRe mission to Ayungin Shoal on Saturday.

China deployed four coast guard vessels, three navy vessels and two maritime vessels from a distance while the RoRe mission by the MV Lapu-Lapu, a civilian vessel operated by the Philippine Navy, and its escort, Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cape Engano (MRRV-4411), were under way, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said on Sunday.

“During the entire duration of the mission, the Chinese vessels maintained their distance and did not undertake any action to disrupt the RoRe,” the task force said.

The mission allowed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deliver essential supplies and provisions to stationed personnel at the Sierra Madre.

“The Philippines agreed to the ‘provisional understanding’ with the PRC (People’s Republic of China) over the resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal for the simple reason of de-escalating tensions and preventing misunderstanding and miscalculations at sea,” the task force said.

“We fully expect China to adhere to the … provisional understanding. Both sides should deal with differences in a constructive manner and never through coercion and intimidation,” it added.

The task force reiterated that it did not seek permission to conduct the RoRe and there was no boarding and inspection by the China Coast Guard as claimed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. —Agence France-Presse, with reports from Jane Bautista and Frances Mangosing